Foodware system having visual-stimulating, sensing, heating, and wireless-communication components

ABSTRACT

An active foodware system includes a mechanical structure supporting a food surface recessed in relation to an area surrounding the food surface; a heating component for heating food received by the food surface; a sensing component for maintaining the heating component at a desired temperature; a wireless communication component; and a visual stimulating component responsive to data from the sensing component or the wireless communication component.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field of this invention is devices associated with food presentationand/or consumption.

BACKGROUND

Much of our lives are spent consuming food, including beverages.Ingestion is the primary object. However, there are a number ofsituations where one wishes to have some additional experience witheating. With a number of people, one can have a conversation associatedwith the consumption. However, eating alone can be a solitaryexperience. We have all seen restaurants where the diners are involvedin eating and watching television. Children can be recalcitrant when aparent is trying to feed them. To encourage children to eat, variousplate designs have been used. Labels on containers are static andlimited to having a printed design. Fast food chains have various disheswith graphic designs, such as the latest movie hero. In these situationsthe diner is involved with stimuli other than the food for differentpurposes. The other stimuli can involve entertainment, distraction,reward or the like.

For the most part the diner does not have control over what is beingpresented, as in the case of television, or the presentation is staticand quickly loses its attraction, as in dining plate design. Inaddition, there is an interest in using the period of time in which thediner is eating to present information.

Also, there is an interest in providing dishware, utensils and beveragecontainers with attractive designs. At dinners, there is an effort tohave the china, glassware, and utensils to be properly related to havean attractive table. On many occasions, one is celebrating an event orholiday where the decorations are related to the event or holiday.Having separate sets of china for each event is beyond the ability ofmost households to afford and store.

Furthermore, one is interested in providing dynamic flexible components,where the programs for the viewer can be readily changed, adapted toparticular situations, and expanded, as desired. A personal computer(“PC”) provides opportunities to devise programs that can be related tospecific situations associated with dining. Even with the decreasingcosts of computers, the computer is still a significant investment to bededicated to a dining experience. Being able to use available dataprocessing equipment without the investment associated with a dedicatedinstrument is advantageous. Marrying dishware with data processingequipment already owned by a user provides substantial economicadvantages and encourages the combination of food presentation with aprogrammed data processor.

There are a number of devices that are found in non-analogous art andhave found different purposes than providing a dining experience. Forexample, the game Pong, invented by Nolan Bushnell, was provided as avisual game to allow two players to compete in bouncing a virtual ballagainst a virtual wall. Such game could be produced in a table formwhere the players ostensibly could have had food that was supported bythe table. However, the potential for food to be present existed, butthe food was not associated with the game and the presence of food wasincidental to the purpose of device. Other devices have been used toweigh food, such as a food scale. Conceivably, a food scale could have aprocessor for indicating the weight and allied information, e.g., unitsof weight, but any visual presentation is limited to weight and not toconsumption of food.

An opportunity exists to provide devices associated with foodpresentation that provide more than support for the food and can bemodified in relation to the needs of a particular situation.

RELEVANT LITERATURE

Garmaise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,925, describes a mug for sensing andindicating the temperature of its liquid contents. Tipton, U.S. Pat. No.5,575,553, describes a container with light encapsulated in the sidewallfor illuminating the sidewall. Crapio, U.S. Pat. No. 3,839,793,describes a utensil with exposed LED. Reber, et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,969,606, describes a food storage container with humidity sensor. deLange, U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,761, describes a utensil holder with lightfor illuminating the food at the working end of the utensil.Voskoboinik, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,355, describes cable-likeelectroluminescent light sources. Albert, U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,970,describes a sound-emitting utensil. Carson, U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,247 B1,describes a liquid container and method for producing a holographicimage on the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention relates to foodware systems with single media ormultimedia capabilities and optionally communication capabilities.Active foodware systems are provided producing sensory signals,particularly in recognizable formats, where the signals are initiated byan independent action, generally related to the food being presented.Such active foodware systems may also be associated with user input,such as verbal or contact, and can also be programmable. Typical activefoodware system feedback will usually include at least one of visual,auditory and haptic feedback, employing optical sources, such as pointlight sources, images, and information; oral sources, such asmicrophones, speakers and voice synthesizers, allowing for verbalinteraction and communication capability; and the like. The activefoodware system may directly or indirectly provide the signals, wherethe active foodware system, particularly translucent plates or dishes,can be seated on an underplate having the indicated capabilities.Components of the devices include processors, memory, computer programsin the memory, power sources, feedback devices, speakers, fiber opticcomponents, light sources, ports, and the like. In many instances when alight source is referred to as a light emitting diode (LED) the lightsource may be a laser diode. The active foodware system can haveindependent data processing and a monitor or be fitted to a laptop PCwhere the laptop monitor provides the visual presentation and dataprocessing, analysis of signals obtained from the active foodware systemand the opportunity to vary the visual presentation. The active foodwaresystem of the subject invention has a multitude of uses, including butnot limited to informing or entertaining the user/diner, and may displaytelevision signals, radio signals, music player signals, computersignals and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child using an active foodware system,such as a plate, fork and cup.

FIG. 2A is a plan view of a translucent square eating plate serving as adining surface, a transmissive element and a support element, whicheating plate is over a square underplate with LCD panel on its top. FIG.2B is an end view of the translucent square plate over the squareunderplate. FIG. 2C is an end view of the square underplate with LCDpanel on top.

FIG. 3A is a plan view of a round eating plate with light guides, suchas light fibers, and associated circuitry inside the body of the plate.FIG. 3B is an end view of a light fiber inside the body of the plate.

FIGS. 4A-4D are examples of simple designs which may be made byembedding light guides into a plate with translucent top surface. Eachline shown inside the periphery of the round plate represents a portionof a light guide.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a light channel in the plate ofFIG. 6A. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a light fiber in a channelin the plate of FIG. 6B.

FIG. 6A is a top view of a plate with a light channel. FIG. 6B is a topview of a plate with a light fiber in a channel.

FIGS. 7A-7C are cross-sectional views of light fibers. FIG. 7A is across-sectional view of an unclad light fiber. FIG. 7B is across-sectional view of a light fiber with a portion of its claddingremoved. FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view of a light fiber with aportion of its wall etched or roughened.

FIG. 8A is a side view of a light guide, such as a light fiber, withlight emitting diode (LED). FIG. 8B is an electrical schematic of acircuit for driving the LED. FIG. 8C is an electrical schematic of acircuit for driving one or a multiplicity of LEDs with an LED driverintegrated circuit.

FIGS. 9A-9D are plan views of plates with various active foodware systemdesigns produced by one or more visual display technologies, such aslight guides, light fibers, electroluminescent wire elements, LEDs, LCDpanels, and the like.

FIGS. 10A-10C are three frontal views of an active foodware systemcontainer with a programmable moving image. FIG. 10D is a plan view ofthe container with image panel and circuitry components.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of a plate with one or moreactive components, including, but not limited to a light guide, an LED,an LCD panel, an on/off button, a digital processor and a battery. Theinterconnections are not shown for clarity.

FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional side view of a dining plate positioned infunctional relation to a dining plate base (also referred to as anunderplate) where the dining plate has one or more sensors, and wherethe dining plate and dining plate base can communicate informationbetween each other. FIG. 12B is a simplified cross-sectional view of thedining plate of FIG. 12A where only the connector is shown. FIG. 12C isa side view of the dining plate base of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13 is an electrical block diagram of a processor communicating witha variety of sensing and stimulation components, including displaydevices, of an active foodware system item of the subject invention.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of an eating utensil (fork) with one or moreactive components, in this case, three light guides, an on/off switch, abattery and an electrical circuit.

FIGS. 15A-15C are plan views of various active foodware system utensilswith one or more active components. FIG. 15D is a side view of a cupwith one or more active components. No circuitry is shown for clarity.

FIG. 16A is a side view of a cup with one or more active components. Inthis case, the active component is oil suspended in a non-oil-basedliquid. Shown is an optional illuminating component in the base of thecup. FIG. 16B is a side view of a utensil (knife) with one or moreactive components, such as oil in a non-oil-based liquid. Shown is anoptional illuminating component in the base of the handle. FIG. 16C is aplan view of the cup of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 17A is a side view of a container with a label with one or moreactive components. In this case, one active component is a light fiber.Also shown are an LED, on/off switch and circuit. FIG. 17B is across-sectional view of the container of FIG. 17A with a label with oneor more active components. FIG. 17C is a cross-sectional view of acontainer with one or more active components inside the wall of thecontainer. FIG. 17D is a cross-sectional view of a container with one ormore active components inside the container. In this case, one activecomponent is a light fiber. FIG. 17E is a cross-sectional side view ofthe container of FIG. 17D with one or more active components inside thecontainer. A light fiber is shown.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are side views of containers with labels with one ormore active components. FIG. 18A shows a 7-segment display. FIG. 18Bshows a more complicated label including an LCD panel and speaker. FIG.18C is a block diagram circuit associated with FIGS. 18A and 18B. Thecircuitry is not shown on FIGS. 18A and 18B for clarity.

FIG. 19A is a side cross-sectional view of an active foodware systemcomprising a dining plate with a rotating component inside. FIG. 19B isa plan view of the rotating component of FIG. 19A. Additionally, therotating component may comprise one or more active components. Amongother things, the non-rotating portion of the eating plate may compriseone or more light guiding, light transmitting, light modifying or lightdistorting components.

FIG. 20A is a side cross-sectional view of an active foodware systemcomprising a dining plate with rotating component inside, where thedining plate is in functional relation to a dining plate base (alsoreferred to as an underplate) with a powered rotating devicemagnetically coupled to the rotating component. FIG. 20B is a plan viewof one example of magnetically coupled rotating device.

FIGS. 21A-21D are plan views of an active foodware system comprising adining plate with a multi-pixel LCD display capable of displaying staticimages or images which appear to move.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of an active eating plate where information isdisplayed and updated around the perimeter of the dining surface.

FIG. 23A is a plan view of an active foodware system comprising a diningplate with multiple compartments and one or more active components. Inthis case, the compartments include LCD panels where a small figure maybe displayed to encourage the user/diner. FIG. 23B is a plan view of acontrol pad for communicating information to the plate of FIG. 23A.

FIG. 24A is a perspective view of an active foodware system comprising adining plate with a visual sensory stimulating component positioned infunctional relation. FIG. 24B is a perspective view of a food containerwith visual sensory stimulating component positioned in functionalrelation.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an active foodware system comprising adining plate with three food dishes, a paused primary video behind asecondary video, a remote control for controlling the active foodwaresystem, including at least one of the active foodware dining plate, anactive foodware cup and an active foodware utensil.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an active foodware dining surfacecomputer cover and a laptop computer that the active foodware diningsurface computer cover fits over.

FIG. 27A is a perspective view of the underside of an active foodwaredining surface computer cover where the computer monitor food shieldarticulates with the computer keyboard food shield. FIG. 27B is aperspective view of the active foodware dining surface computer coverwhere the computer monitor food shield is folded back to mate with thecomputer keyboard food shield.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a portion of an active foodware diningsurface with a food-sensing platform and food dish.

FIG. 29A is a cross section of a food-sensing platform portion of anactive foodware dining surface. FIG. 29B is a cross section of a secondtype of food-sensing platform portion of an active foodware diningsurface. FIG. 29C is a cross section of a third type of food-sensingplatform portion of an active foodware dining surface. FIG. 29D is across section of a third type of food-sensing platform portion of anactive foodware dining surface.

FIG. 30 is a circuit block diagram of a processor receiving weightinformation from a food-sensing platform of an active foodware diningplate.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram of a computer processor receiving encoderinformation from a food-sensing platform of an active foodware diningplate and outputting a signal to illuminate one or more lights on theactive foodware dining plate.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart describing a portion of an exemplary computerprogram controlling an active foodware dining plate.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a tablet computer and computer covercomprising three dining compartments, each exemplifying differentfeedback lighting.

FIG. 34 is an active foodware system in the form of a laptop computerwith four dining surfaces: one to the side of the monitor, one capableof being swiveled in front of the monitor and two covering a portion ofthe laptop and to the side of the keyboard.

FIG. 35 is a gamepad with foodware cover.

FIG. 36 is a portable music player with active foodware docking dish.

FIG. 37A is a cross section of an active foodware system with a diningplate inductively receiving electrical energy from an underplate. FIG.37B is a plan view of the dining plate of FIG. 37A. FIG. 37C is a planview of the underplate of FIG. 37A. FIG. 37D is an exemplary circuitemployed by the plate and underplate of FIG. 37A.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of an active foodware system transmittinga signal to an external display.

FIG. 39 is a cross section of an active foodware system where a passivetranslucent plate with a dining surface receives light from a visualdisplay underplate through an optical coupler.

FIG. 40A is a plan view of another active foodware system where apassive plate receives light from a visual display through an opticalcoupler. FIG. 40B is a cross section view of the passive plate of FIG.40A.

FIG. 41A is a perspective view of an active foodware system comprising aportable computer and adjustable structure for positioning food andbeverages in convenient proximity to the computer. FIG. 41B is aperspective view of the adjustable structure of FIG. 41A. FIG. 41C is aperspective view of the adjustable structure of FIG. 41A where theextension of the frame and surface are capable of being adjusted.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of an active foodware system comprising anactive foodware plate, at least one dining surface, and display devicesto be received by, or for attachment to, the active foodware plate.

FIG. 43 is a computer monitor showing a graphical user interface for acomputer program for communicating with an active foodware system.

FIG. 44 is a computer monitor showing another graphical user interfacefor a computer program for communicating with an active foodware system.

FIG. 45 is a cross section view of an active foodware system with adining surface and an optical sensor for detecting food.

FIG. 46 is a plan view of an active foodware system with a diningsurface and an optical sensor for detecting food.

FIG. 47A is a cross section view of an assembled active foodware systemincluding a passive plate with a dining surface and one or more lightguides, and a removable active underplate with one or more light sourcesfor emitting light into the one or more light guides of the passiveplate. FIG. 47B is a cross section view of the unassembled passive plateand active underplate of FIG. 47A. FIG. 47C is a cross section view ofan assembled active foodware system including a passive plate with adining surface and one or more light guides, and a removable activeunderplate with one or more light sources for emitting light into theone or more light guides of the passive plate. FIG. 47C also shows anoptional motor and rotating translucent film for affecting the emittedlight before it reaches the one or more light guides.

FIGS. 48A-48I are cross section views of typical active foodware plateforms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An active foodware system is provided that can afford single media ormultimedia presentation. The active foodware system comprises devicesthat provide at least one of visual, auditory and haptic stimuli,usually at least visual, where the stimuli can be related to the foodbeing presented. The active foodware system may comprise a power source,a device or devices for producing signals and may also include a deviceor devices for sensing and/or receiving signals and a processor forprocessing signals and/or data. The active foodware system may includeall of the sensing and stimuli producing devices. The active foodwaresystem may also include the circuitry to control the devices and performthe various activities provided by the active foodware system.

The active foodware system comprises as a central element a diningsurface. The dining surface is equivalent to an eating surface and isthe exposed surface of an eating or dining plate. The dining surfacewill be recessed as compared to a region surrounding the dining surface.The recessed surface serves to receive food and the surrounding regionprevents spillage. In combination with the dining surface will be amechanical structure supporting the dining surface.

Also as part of the system will be at least one of a sensing component,a stimulating component or a processor component; or the mechanicalstructure will have a form to separably receive a processor module.Typically, when the mechanical structure has a stimulating component asother than a software controlled graphical display below the diningsurface, then light emanates from the dining surface or the mechanicalstructure is integral with the dining surface. When the sensingcomponent senses weight, typically the stimulating component willinclude information other than information provided by a scale.

Typically one of the sensing, stimulating or processor components willbe in functional relationship with a mechanical structure. Thesecomponents may be attached, integral, molded or sealed into, encased, incontact with, connected to or otherwise directly involved with themechanical structure. Alternatively, the mechanical structure may have a“space,” where space includes a cavity, slot, opening, etc., forreceiving a processor component, usually with the mechanical structureable to cover at least a portion of the processor component,particularly during dining.

The mechanical structure is intended to be supported by furniture, suchas a dining table, desk, high chair, and the like, types of furniturethat find use for dining, although not necessarily limited to dining.The furniture raises the mechanical structure to a level where dining isconvenient with the mechanical structure, but may raise the diningsurface to a level somewhat higher than the level at which one normallydines. The height to which the mechanical structure is raised willgenerally be about 2.5 feet or greater and less than about 3.5 feet,where the mechanical structure will generally raise the dining surfaceto less than about 1 foot above the support. In the case of a plate, thedining surface may be raised about an inch or less.

The active foodware system typically has a dining plate having anexposed dining surface for receiving and presenting food. Referring to a“dining plate” or “dining dish,” the dining plate or dining dishtypically includes any recessed relatively flat dining surface, deeperdining dish, dining bowl, and the like, where one typically uses autensil or one's fingers to remove the food. It may also include acontroller, such as a switch, control circuit, processor, etc. forcontrolling sensory stimulation or sensing components. Thus the activefoodware system can appeal to various organoleptic characteristics. Thestimulating and sensing components can be related to the food beingpresented, either directly or indirectly, such as presence of the food,consumption of the food, temperature, food menu, selection, etc., orproviding attention-attracting stimuli, such as entertainment,information, educational presentation, promotional advertisements, etc.,which can keep the diner interested and close to the food. The plate maybe a unitary object that includes the dining surface, a lighttransmissive entity and a support member, where the latter may be thesame structural element. Usually, the plate will be associated with alight generator that may be separate or be part of the same structuralelement. There can be one or more dining surfaces that are contiguous orseparated. Each dining surface will usually be in close proximity orjuxtaposition to one or more stimulating, e.g., transmissive, entities.Generally, the area under the dining surface will be light transmissivewhen the light generator is below the dining surface. Typically, thesensing component will be part of the mechanical structure.

Active foodware system components can include or be adapted to include adata processor and visual feedback display unit in an active foodwaresystem. By designing an active foodware system component to fit the unitto form an integral structure, the resulting active foodware system hasthe flexibility of the unit in providing stimuli while at the same timepresenting food to the viewer. Also, signals from the active foodwaresystem component can be processed by the data processor and be used inproviding the stimuli. The data processor and visual feedback displayunit may be provided by a personal computer, such as a laptop computerwith a monitor, or a game console. When the data processor and monitorare integral to other components of the active foodware system, otherthan a separable dining surface, the combined unit will be referred toas the “sensory unit.” When the data processor and monitor are separablefrom the other components of the active foodware system, other than aseparable dining surface, such other components will be referred to asthe “separable sensory unit.”

A subassembly of the subject invention employs a dining plate with anexposed dining surface and a connector to an external processor forcontrolling the stimuli. In this way, the subassembly can be sold as anindividual entity separate from the processor, where the user mayconnect the subassembly to the external processor. By having appropriatecomponents integrated with the plate in the subassembly, these can becontrolled by the external processor when the subassembly is connectedto the external processor.

For the purposes of this invention the “active foodware system” includesall of the components that serve as elements to present, store, utilizeor consume food and provide sensory stimulation, sensing andcontrolling. The active foodware system includes foodware, such asdishware, utensils, containers, flatware, stemware, and ancillarydevices used with such entities, such as cup holders. The activefoodware system may comprise components or subsystems comprisingindividual components. A distinction will be made between physicallyseparable and inseparable components and subsystems of the activefoodware system. In the system there will be at least a dining surface,such as a dining plate, dining bowl or dining dish, from which food isconsumed. The dining surface may be supported by one member of a placesetting when in use. There is at least one active component thatprovides sensory stimulation. There may be one or more passivecomponents. In describing the invention, those components generating orusing electrical power will be referred to as “active” components andactive subsystems comprise at least one active component. Each of theactive components is active in employing electrical power to providefeedback to a user/diner and/or sensing user/diner input. Thosecomponents or subsystems that do not generate or use electrical powerwill be referred to as “passive” components or subsystems, respectively.

In referring to a processor, the processor may be programmable ornon-programmable, e.g., hard wired, and there may be one or moreprocessors. Programming may be accomplished with hardware or software. Aprogrammable processor may be a central processing unit (CPU),microcontroller, microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), and thelike, which is typically connected to ROM and RAM and has a softwareprogram in the ROM and/or RAM controlling the programmable processor'soperation. The processor may also be a Programmable Logic Array (PLA),Field-Programmable Logic Array (FPLA), Programmable Array Logic (PAL),and the like. The processor will provide for receiving signals fromsensors and outputting stimuli of the active foodware system. Theprocessor can be part of an existing system, particularly a commerciallyavailable system, having in addition to the processor a graphic displayand optionally one or more ports for connection to electronics of themechanical structure. Such existing systems include generically laptops,where “Laptops” refers to the family of laptop computers, tabletcomputers, handheld computers, intelligent mobile terminals, and thelike. The existing systems also include generically gamepads, where“Gamepads” refers to gamepads, game consoles, and the like. As exemplaryare the Sony PSP®, Sony PlayStation® Game Console, Microsoft Xbox®, etc.

The active foodware system may also include sensing capability. Sensingmay involve sensing components, including but not limited to contactsensors, touchscreens, motion sensors, proximity sensors, temperaturesensors, moisture sensors, pressure sensors, light sensors, soundsensors and the like. The sensing capability may be associated with foodcharacteristics, such as weight, position, center of mass, temperature,movement, color, reflectivity, opacity, size, density, volume, etc.

Stimulation directed to the diner can provide encouragement to eat,rewards for eating, minatory messages, educational messages,information, directions concerning food selection, etc. A portion of thedining surface may have access reversibly blocked. For example, accessto dessert may be blocked until the active foodware system senses thatthe other foods have been eaten.

Other forms of stimulation may include heating of the plate and food,e.g. a heating element in the plate, color patterns, pictures,photographs, etc. For visual stimulation, a light generator is employed.The light generator may take various forms, such as an LCD, LED,electroluminescent wire, fluorescent light, plasma display, neon light,incandescent light, optical fiber, light channel or tube, CRT, etc. Whenreferring to a light generator as a component of a system, theassociated video processing, interface and circuitry is inherentlyincluded if not explicitly included. When referring to a light generatoras a component of a system, the light generator may also include a touchscreen, even if not explicitly shown.

The active foodware system can include utensils and vessels with thedining plate. The different components of a place setting may eachprovide stimulation and sensing and may communicate with each other anda user of the active foodware system. For example, one can provide thatthe proximity or contact of a utensil to the dining plate can result inencouragement to bring the utensil to the food on the dining surface andrecognize when the utensil is moved away from the dining surface.

In distinguishing the subject invention devices from a food scale, thescale is limited to provide solely information about the weight of thefood, such as the weight, the units, e.g., grams, in which the weight ispresented, cost, and the like.

The active foodware system may be used in a restaurant and provide afood menu, which may be hierarchical. Such an active foodware system maydisplay an image of various food options on the dining surface as thefood would actually look if ordered. The active foodware system mayallow diner input, ordering and payment, for example, by sensing contactwith the plate or voice input. A diner's order on the active foodwaresystem may be automatically directed to the kitchen.

Of particular interest are dining plates, which can be used forpresenting food, particularly with conventional or active utensils anddrinking receptacles, for demonstration of various designs, forproviding information or entertainment, etc. The dining plate willusually be the center of the active foodware system involving most, ifnot all, of the stimuli to the user/diner.

The dining plates may be active systems or subsystems and have all orsome of the circuitry and stimuli producing devices contained in thedining plate. For example, by molding an upper or lower layer of adining plate having compartments and channels for housing the devicesand connecting the devices, the various devices may readily be placed intheir appropriate positions and relationships and connected accordingly.One may then seal all of the devices with potting compound, epoxy,fiberglass, and the like, to protect the devices and connectors frommoisture. A complementary layer, e.g., undercover, can be attached whilethe sealant is curing, so as to be bonded to the sealant and provide foran attractive dining plate, e.g., an attractive underlayer.Alternatively, one may provide for a channel proximal to the edge of thedining plate with an underlayer having a ridge fitting into the channel.By having a sealant in the channel or on the ridge, fitting the ridgeinto the channel will hermetically seal the upper and lower layers toform the dining plate. The design will allow for chambers, leads or thelike at the periphery of the dining plate for connection to othercomponents, such as batteries, antennae, etc. A compartment can beprovided at the periphery for receiving a battery that would be inoperative connection with the internal devices through leads, pads,etc., that can be made of corrosion resistant materials, to allow forwashing of the dining plate after removing the battery.

The manner in which the upper and lower layers of the plate are sealedis to provide for a water resistant seal. In this way the dining platecan be washed and the devices and circuitry between the layers areprotected from corrosion. By having an external power source orproviding for a sealed compartment for receiving a power source, one canprovide an integral plate that only lacks the power source, but can beconnected with the power source when in use.

The dining plate unit may have an upper dining plate, of which at leasta portion is translucent, and an underplate having the various devicesfor the stimuli or sensing. Such translucent plate would include thedining surface, a transmissive entity and further serve as a supportstructure for the dining surface. The translucent plate can be glass orvarious plastics, such as polycarbonate, PVC, Plexiglas, polyethylene,polypropylene, poly-4-methylpentene-1, Delrin®, etc. The translucentplate may be readily molded and typically will be relatively thin toallow for efficient transmission of light from the underplate.Thicknesses in the range of about 1 to 10 mm may be employed. Inaddition, various designs may be incorporated into the translucentdining plate to cooperate with the stimuli emanating from theunderplate.

The foodware system may be capable of communicating data, such assending data or receiving downloaded data, such as video files, movies,pictures, designs, audio files, computer programs, etc. The datacommunication may be done offline or streamed in real time. The datacommunication may be via a wired or wireless link. The datacommunication may be from or to a website. The data communication may befrom or to a server computer. Data communication may be from or to apeer-to-peer network. Data communication may be via any convenientprotocol, including http, https, ftp, and the like. The active foodwaresystem may accept external hardware media such as DVDs, CDs, memorysticks, floppy disks, hard drives and the like, where the content may beseen and/or heard on the active foodware system. By having ports,connectors, transmitters or receivers for receiving external signalsthat can then be presented as stimuli, the active foodware systemprovides great flexibility. Thus, the active foodware system can beself-contained or rely on external devices to provide signals which arethen presented to the user/diner.

The data received by the active foodware system can be utilized indifferent ways depending upon the type of received data. Typically, ifthe data is a picture file format, the active foodware system willdisplay a digital image; if the data is a movie or video format, thenthe active foodware system will display movie or video; if the data is ahaptic feedback file format, the active foodware system will providehaptic feedback; if the data is an audio file format, the activefoodware system will play sound; and if the data is a computer program,the active foodware system will run the program. However, one type ofdata may be converted into a different stimulation; for example, anaudio format may be converted into a haptic format and/or visual formator may be used to augment a visual image.

By “image” is intended a representation formed by light emission atdifferent sites, usually of other than a simple geometric form. For themost part, the image will be formed by a plurality of light-emittingsites. Light-emitting sites may be obtained with one or moreelectroluminescent elements, a plurality of LEDs, an LCD display, afluorescent display, a plasma display, a plurality of incandescentlights, and the like. Simple geometric forms include circles and variousregular polygons of from 3-4 sides, such as triangles, squares, andrectangles.

The active foodware system may comprise a mechanical structure having adining surface and comprising any one of a stimulating component, asensing component and a processor component, with the component being inproximity to the dining surface, with the dining surface being recessedin relation to a region surrounding the dining surface, with the diningsurface being recessed for receiving food and preventing spillage fromsaid dining surface, and in the event that the stimulating component isa visual stimulating component, (a) the visual stimulating component hasa plurality of sites that emit light that produces other than a singlesimple geometric form, or (b) the visual stimulating component is sealedin the mechanical structure.

The active foodware system may also comprise: a dining surface, wherethe dining surface is recessed in relation to a region surrounding thedining surface, where the dining surface is recessed for receiving foodand preventing spillage from the dining surface, and in combination withthe dining surface, further comprising a mechanical structure forsupporting the dining surface, and (1) in functional relationship to themechanical structure, any one of the following functioning while dining:a sensing component, a stimulating component and a processor component,with the proviso that (a) when the mechanical structure has a visualstimulating component and the stimulating component is other than asoftware controlled graphical display, either (i) light emanates fromthe dining surface from a plurality of sites that emit light thatproduces other than a single simple geometric form, or (ii) the visualstimulating component is sealed in the mechanical structure or (b) whenthe sensing component senses weight, the stimulating component includesinformation other than information provided by a scale; or (2) themechanical structure has an adjustable support structure, a horizontaldining platform for supporting food in a raised position, while akeyboard is positioned at least partially under the dining platform, atleast a portion of the dining platform being translucent to permitviewing at least a portion of the keyboard during dining.

Typical active foodware system visual displays include light guides(such as optical fibers, electroluminescent light sources, lightchannels in the active foodware system material, light tubes, and thelike), liquid crystal displays, light emitting diodes, laser diodes,plasma displays, fluorescent lights, fluorescing fluids, incandescentlights, and the like. The active foodware system may include hapticfeedback, including but not limited to vibrotactile feedback, tactilefeedback, electrocutaneous feedback, and force feedback, so theuser/diner may feel desired vibrations, jolts, impacts or movements ofthe active foodware system. A useful vibrotactile feedback element is arotating motor with eccentric mass, such as is found in vibrating cellphones. Typical auditory feedback displays include voice-coil speakers,piezoelectric speakers, and the like, including speakers andsound-generating elements used in cell phones.

The active foodware system may accept wired or wireless input thataffects the visual, auditory or haptic display of the active foodwaresystem, such as signals from a data processor. For example, the activefoodware system may accept voice input, wired or wireless mouse input,wired or wireless peripheral device input. Games may be played using theactive foodware system where the active foodware system dining platecomprises a visual feedback display. The active foodware system may havebuilt-in controls for controlling the displayed content, providing gamecontrol input, communicating with other active foodware systems, and thelike.

Embodiments of particular interest include having a passive or activecomponent or subsystem comprising the dining surface that interacts witha separable active component or subsystem. For example, one may have anunderplate as an active subsystem under a dining plate having a diningsurface. Such underplate may rest on a table, be part of a table or beaffixed to a table. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the diningplate is translucent while the underplate transmits visual sensorystimulation through the translucent portion of the dining plate. Anotherexample, is the use of a data processor, e.g., laptop computer, andvisual feedback display, e.g., monitor, that fits with a subsystemcomprising a dining surface. The subsystem optionally includes a sensorfor sensing changes in the amount of food present and provides feedback.One can also provide for recognition by the data processor of a unit offood related to an average amount per intake and have the sensorrecognize when the change in the amount is unrelated to an averageintake, e.g., where the food is discarded.

One may be interested in sensing the position of food on the diningsurface. Various technologies that may be employed as the sensingcomponent include infrared emitters/detectors, cameras, including CCDcameras, touch screens, pressure and weight sensors, ultrasonics, radar,temperature sensors, lasers, proximity sensors, and the like. Dependingupon the technology, the different entities would be positioned indifferent known ways in relation to the dining surface. A signal fromthe sensing component may be transmitted to a stimulating component tomodulate the stimulation. The sensed information can be used in avariety of ways by the active foodware system. For instance, if it isdetected that while a child is eating, food is being moved about thedish rather than being consumed, the parent may be notified or thestimulation to the child may be altered. The parent may be notified byphone, email, pager, auditory signal, etc. In another embodiment,designs, both colors and patterns, displayed at the dining surface maybe varied. Attractively, one could have simulated electrostatic patternsrelated to the position of the food.

One item of an active foodware system may communicate information withanother item of an active foodware system. An active foodware systemfork may communicate its movement to an active foodware system diningplate of the same user/diner or the active foodware system dining plateof a different user/diner. A computer which typically is not in physicalcontact with the active foodware system may communicate with the activefoodware system in real time or offline.

Active foodware systems may include corded telephone technology,cordless telephone technology, walkie talkie technology, mobile/cellulartelephone technology, internet access, web searching technology, and thelike.

Advertisers may combine promotions with active foodware systems. Forexample, a fast-food store may provide active foodware system cups,dining plates and/or utensils with moving and/or talking moviecharacters or interactive games on them.

The subject active foodware system serves to provide an enhanced diningexperience. One can present to a diner a visual, aural, haptic or othersensory stimulation to enhance the dining experience. A dining surfaceis maintained in proximity to a stimulating component. Of particularinterest is to have a processor to communicate with the stimulatingcomponent to provide the desired stimulation. The method comprisespresenting food to a diner on such dining surface; running a computerprogram on a computer with instructions for selecting at least oneactive foodware system; transferring data from the computer memory tothe processor; and depending upon the type of the data, displaying,playing or operating the data, in conjunction with a member of theactive foodware system, such as a dining plate or underplate. Theselected member will have a receiver for receiving and storing the data.One may also select data from a data source to be included in the datatransferred to the active foodware system member. In this way,stimulation may be provided during the consumption of the food. Thestimulation can be related to the food and its consumption, providinginformation about the food, its preparation, its characteristics, etc.

Of particular interest is sensing the weight of the food on a diningsurface. Visual or auditory stimuli in relation to the weight of foodsensed can be provided. Auditory signals may be provided that relate tothe consumption of the food and provide rewards, instructions, etc., inrelation to such consumption.

The subject invention is further described in detail hereunder referringto the embodiments provided in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a user/diner 100 seated at a table 101 using a variety ofactive foodware system items, including an active dining plate 102, anactive fork 103 and an active cup 104. Only these three active componentexamples are shown in the figure; however, many different items used toeat, drink, contain, serve, support, pour, store, prepare, hold, and mixfood, when comprising active or passive components, may be considered asactive foodware systems according to the subject invention. For clarity,the active dining plate 102 does not have any food on it. Such activecomponent may comprise one or a multiplicity of a variety of activesensory stimulating and sensing components. Visual sensory stimulatingcomponents include but are not limited to light emitting diodes (LEDs),optical fibers, optical tubes, electroluminescent light sources, opticalchannels, liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, incandescent lights,fluorescent lights, fluorescing fluids, and the like. Such activefoodware system may comprise one or a multiplicity of auditory sensorystimulating components, including but not limited to voice-coilspeakers, piezo-electric speakers, and other sound generatingcomponents. Such active foodware system may comprise one or amultiplicity of sensing components, including but not limited to contactsensors, touchscreens, motion sensors, proximity sensors, temperaturesensors, moisture sensors, pressure sensors, light sensors, soundsensors and the like. Such active foodware system may also comprise oneor a multiplicity of haptic feedback components, including but notlimited to tactile, vibrotactile and force feedback components toprovide tactile and force feedback to the user/diner. Such activefoodware system may provide a multimedia dining experience to theuser/diner.

FIGS. 2A-2C provide one embodiment of the subject active foodware systeminvention where an LCD screen is positioned in functional relation to adining plate surface, in this case under the dining plate. Thisembodiment provides a rectangular active foodware system 213 comprisingan active underplate or active underplate subsystem 201 with LCD visualdisplay 202 and a passive eating plate 200 with at least a portion ofthe top surface 212 being translucent to allow viewing of at least aportion of the information provided by the visual display 202. Thepassive dining plate 200 may be attached to the active underplate 201 orleft unattached. FIG. 2A is a plan view of the passive dining plateplaced over the active underplate. FIG. 2B is a side view of the passivedining plate 200 above the active underplate 201. FIG. 2C is a side viewof the active underplate. The passive dining plate 200 may contact thetable via supports 210 where the active underplate is accessible viaopenings 211 between the supports 210. Alternately, the passive diningplate may be supported by the active underplate and not contact thetable surface directly.

The active underplate 201 of FIGS. 2A-2C comprises a processor 203 whichgenerates a display control signal that is used by the displayamplification circuitry 214 to drive the visual display 202. Theinterconnections are not shown here in FIGS. 2A-2C, but a generalfunctional block diagram is provided later in FIG. 13. The electricaldetails are known to those skilled in the art. The active underplate 201further comprises battery 204, electrical adapter/battery chargerconnector 208, speaker 207, on/off switch 206, external media slot 205and data adaptor 209. The external media slot 205 may accept any of avariety of past, present or future media, including but not limited toCDs, DVDs, floppies, tape, memory sticks, and the like. The data adaptor209 represents one or a multiplicity of port connectors for a variety ofwireless and wireline data, and may be a USB connector, Firewireconnector, serial connector, parallel connector, infrared connector,electromagnetic connector, and the like. In FIGS. 2A-2C, data adaptor209 and electrical adaptor/battery charger connector 208 are optionallyobstructed by supports 210 for safety reasons to prevent wiredconnection during dining to any device that might present an electricalhazard if a liquid were spilled on the wire or connection during dining.

FIG. 3A is a plan view of one embodiment of the subject invention wherea visual display is made up of light guides, such as light fibers,electroluminescent light sources, light tubes, light channels and thelike being placed in functional relation to a dining plate. In thisembodiment, representations for two eyes and a smile are illuminated bylight guides. The left eye comprises light guide 301 and associated LED302; the right eye comprises light guide 303 and associated LED 304; andthe smile comprises light guide 305 and associated LED 306. FIG. 3A alsoshows a power source 307, on/off switch 308 (such as a single pole,single throw switch), electrical resistors 309, 310, and 311, along withthe interconnections. The embodiment as shown provides a very simplecircuit where pressing the on/off switch illuminates the LEDs and theirassociated light guides. In a more complicated embodiment, a processormay be used to provide more sophisticated lighting effects. Electricalcircuits to provide a wide variety of lighting effects are well known bythose skilled in the art.

The power source 307 may be a battery, and may be rechargeable and maybe replaceable. The battery may also be manufactured into the plate suchthat is cannot be user replaced. If rechargeable, the battery may beremoved and recharged. Alternatively, the battery may be left in theplate and recharged via a connector (not shown) on the plate. If it isdesired to not have any openings or connectors to the plate, the batterymay also be associated with a transformer (not shown) in the diningplate so it can be inductively charged via an external electromagneticfield, such as provided in FIGS. 37A-37D. The battery may also beassociated with a photovoltaic cell (not shown) in the dining platewhich charges the battery using light.

The lighting power source, circuitry and/or one or more lightingcomponents may be removable. The lighting components and circuitry maybe located inside the material of the dining plate or positioned belowthe dining surface. In such cases, enough of the material between thedining surface of the dining plate and the lighting component(s) shouldbe translucent to permit at least a portion of the light escaping fromthe lighting component(s) to be viewed by the user/diner. The diningplate may be manufactured from typical dining plate materials, such asChina, glass, ceramic, plastic, porcelain and the like. Translucentportions of the dining plate are made from any hard non-toxictranslucent material, such as glass, plastic and the like. Translucentliquids may also be encapsulated between the light source and surface ofthe dining plate.

FIG. 3B is a side view of the dining plate of FIG. 3A where only thelight guide 305 and associated LED 306 producing the smile are shown forclarity, and which in this case are located inside the material of thedining plate.

FIGS. 4A-4B are various dining plate designs that can be easily producedusing the light guide embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B. Multiple lightguides may co-exist in a single dining plate and be selectivelyactivated to provide the illusion that the face is changing expression.In FIGS. 4A-4B, the lines making up the eyes and mouth may be producedusing one or a multiplicity of light guides per facial line.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view at section 5A-5A of the dining plate500 of FIG. 6A. There is a channel 501 in the dining plate for directingand diffusing light from light source 502 on its way to the reflectivesurface 507. Light may be reflected internally or the light may refract.The refracted light that escapes the surface of the dining plate may beviewed by the user/diner. The diameter of the channel may be selected sothat a desired amount of light escapes the channel for viewing by theuser/diner. The surface roughness and optional coatings may also beselected to determine the amount of light that escapes the channel. Suchaugmentation of the channel may be graded to provide a desired intensityof glow along the channel by the user/diner. For example, it might bedesired to have the ends of the channel emit more light, i.e., glowmore, than the middle, or vice versa, or it might be desired to have auniform glow along the length of the channel.

In a related embodiment, the channel may be filled with a fluorescinggas, material, liquid or other fluid, and where the light source 502 isan energy source that causes the gas, material or fluid to fluoresce.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view at section 6B-6B of the dining plate503. There is a channel 505 into which a light guide 504, such as anoptical fiber, electroluminescent light source, or light tube, resides.The light guide has a light source 506 at one end and may have anoptional reflective surface 508 at the other. The index of refraction ofthe light guide and of the dining plate channel, as well as any gapbetween the guide and channel wall, may be selected to produce thedesired amount of refraction and perceived glow of the channel by theuser/diner. Such optical technology is known by those skilled in theart.

FIG. 7A is a cross section of a light guide 700. Such a guide may be anoptical fiber, electroluminescent light source, optical tube, or anyother appropriate light guiding element. FIG. 7B is a light guide 701with cladding 702 to help prevent light from escaping. In FIG. 7B, aportion 703 of the cladding has been removed to allow a desired amountof light to escape from a desire section of the guide. FIG. 7C is across section of a light guide 704 where a portion 705 of the lightguide has been modified to allow light to escape. A light guide may bemodified using a variety of techniques, such as by etching, scoring, andthe like.

FIG. 8A is a side view of a light guide 800. There is a light source 801at one end and an optional reflective surface 802 at the other end. Thelight guide may be an optical fiber, electroluminescent light source,light tube or any other suitable light guiding element where light canbe allowed to escape and pass through a translucent material for theuser/diner to see. When the light guide is an optical fiber,theoretically, light 803 that does not exceed a critical angle ofincidence with the surface will be internally reflected, whereas light804 that does exceed the critical angle of incidence will be refractedaccording to Snell's Law. Refracted light that passes through atranslucent material may be viewed by the user/diner. The light guidemay also be a light tube with openings permitting the light to escape indesired locations and amounts.

Light sources are commonly light emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or laserdiodes, but can be any of a variety of light producing devices,including incandescent lights, electroluminescent elements, fluorescentlights, glowing coils, and the like.

FIG. 8B is a simple electrical circuit schematic for driving an LED.When the switch 805 is closed, electrical current 806 from the powersource 807 passes through the wires 808, through the resistor 809 andthrough the LED 810, causing it to give off light.

FIG. 8C shows an integrated circuit block 811 with a digital processorand memory and powered by a power source 812. When the processor detectsthat the switch 813 is closed, it runs a program in its memory thatdetermines which of the light sources 814 to energize and when. Thetechnology for creating such a circuit is known to those skilled in theart and actual circuit implementations may vary considerably. Theinvention is not limited to an embodiment using the simple exemplarycircuits provided here.

FIGS. 9A-9D are active foodware system dining plates with varying visualdisplay designs and technologies. Auditory output may be combined withany of these visual displays. FIGS. 9A and 9B are dining plates 900 and901, respectively, using light guides to create desired patterns anddesigns. Each of the lines 902 and 903 may be illuminated using opticalguides, including but not limited to “lossy” optical fibers (i.e., whichallow some light to escape to be viewed by the user/diner),electroluminescent light sources, light channels, light tubes and thelike.

FIG. 9C is a dining plate 904 comprising one or a multiplicity of LEDs905 which may be illuminated in a desired sequence or in response touser/diner or food activity. The LEDs may be any of a variety oftechnologies and desirable colors, including but not limited to, red,yellow, blue, green, and the like. A matrix of colored LEDs may be usedin combination to produce a composite image where one or more LEDsrepresent a single picture element (pixel).

FIG. 9D is an active foodware system dining plate 906 comprising anactive LCD screen capable of displaying a large number of differentimages. The LCD screen may have a uniform matrix of pixels where anyarbitrary image or alphanumeric character may be displayed.Alternatively, to reduce cost and complexity, the LCD screen may includeonly portions of a limited number of images or alphanumeric characters.By sequencing the LCD through a pattern of pixels or preset imageportions, the user/diner may perceive an object or alphanumericcharacter to move. Moving or non-moving objects visually displayed bythe active foodware system may be associated with aural stimulation fromthe active foodware system to provide a multimedia experience.

The user/diner may load pictures or movies onto the active foodwaresystem dining plate for display, such as wedding pictures, babypictures, pictures or movies from a trip and the like. Entertainingand/or other desired images, artwork, videos, graphics, sounds, hapticsensations, “screen savers” and the like, may be downloaded fromwebsites for display on a member of an active foodware system, such as adining plate. Digital images of the tablecloth or other desirable colorsor patterns may be loaded and displayed on the dining plate so thedining plate matches the tablecloth or a dinner party theme. Slideshowsmay be displayed on the active foodware system plate. Movies may bedisplayed on the active foodware system dining plate. The dining platemay be associated with a television tuner, TV cable, satellite dish, andthe like, such that the user/diner may watch television on their diningplate. The active foodware system dining plate may serve as a computermonitor. Sounds may be recorded and played back through a speaker orvibrating portion associated with the dining plate. For example, thedining plate could display stationary or moving text saying, “HappyBirthday, Jill!” while simultaneously audibly displaying the “HappyBirthday” song through the speaker. At the end of the song, an image ormovie of Jill as a baby may be displayed on the dining plate.

FIGS. 10A-10C are three frontal views of an active foodware systemliquid container, in this case an active foodware cup 1000 comprising avisual display 1001, auditory display 1002, user/diner interactioncontrols 1003, processor 1004 and power source 1005. The three viewsshow an image perceived by the user/diner to move from the right to leftby successively changing the displayed position of the image. The visualdisplay uses any technology capable of displaying an image, includingbut not limited to LCD technology, LED technology, plasma screentechnology, electroluminescent technology, and the like. The cup mayhave user controls for turning on the visual display, interacting withthe image, playing a game, communicating with others, or otherwisecontrolling the operation of the cup. The cup may provide auditoryfeedback to the user/diner via the auditory display 1002. The auditoryfeedback may be sounds associated with the image and the sounds need notbe associated with the image. The auditory feedback may contain speech,music, beeps and other noises and sounds. The auditory feedback mayprovide advertisements and entertainment. The cup may accept auditoryinput from the user/diner via a microphone (not shown). FIG. 10D is aplan view of the active foodware system cup 1000 of FIGS. 10A-10C.

FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of an active foodware systemdining plate 1100 comprising a variety of visual displays, including anLCD screen 1101, a light guide 1102 with associatedlight-guide-illuminating LED 1103 and a separate LED 1104. Although oneof each of three visual display components is shown in FIG. 11, anactive foodware system may comprise only one of these visual displaycomponents, or it may comprise more than one of such visual displays,and/or an active foodware system may comprise other visual displays notshown in this figure, such as a plasma display, a fluorescent display,and the like. The active foodware system dining plate of FIG. 11 alsocomprises a switch 1105, which may be used to turn on/off the visualdisplay(s), a power source 1106 and a processor 1107. An active foodwaresystem may comprise multiple switches and controls to control a varietyof modes and functions of the active foodware system dining plate. Thepower source may comprise a battery, rechargeable battery, A/C to D/Cpower supply, transformer and the like. The processor may be a centralprocessing unit (CPU), microcontroller, microprocessor, digital signalprocessor (DSP), and the like, and may have associated with it computermemory, such as RAM and ROM, and have a computer program in the memory.The processor may also be a Programmable Logic Array (PLA) orProgrammable Array Logic (PAL). The processor has connections to thevisual displays, switch and power source, where the processor is able tocause the visual displays to be illuminated in a desired manner and/ordisplay a desired image. Interconnections between the components of FIG.11 and the specific electrical circuitry are known by those skilled inthe art, and so they have been omitted from the figure for clarity.

FIGS. 12A-12C are side cross-sectional views of an active foodwaresystem comprising an dining plate 1200 in functional relation to anon-dining underplate 1201, where the dining plate and non-diningunderplate are not permanently affixed to each other. Such aconfiguration of the dining plate 1200 and non-dining underplate 1201finds use when it is desired to submerge the dining plate in water orplace it in a dishwasher, which, depending on design choices, might notbe advisable for the non-dining underplate. For instance, the non-diningunderplate might have a cord and wall plug 1202 for 110V or other highvoltage alternating current electrical power. The non-dining plate mightalso have a speaker 1203 (such as a voice-coil speaker), microphone1204, a switch 1205, a processor 1206 and other components andcompartments 1207 that might not fair well if submerged in water.

The dining plate of FIGS. 12A and 12B has at least one sensory elementcapable of providing feedback or sensing a state. Such a sensory elementincludes, but is not limited to an LED 1213, and LCD screen 1214, alight guide 1215, an electroluminescent element, a plasma screen, afluorescent light, an illuminating fluid, a haptic feedback actuator1216 (such as a vibrotactile feedback actuator (e.g., an eccentric massactuator), a tactile feedback actuator, a force-feedback actuator, andthe like), a pressure sensor 1208, a temperature sensor 1209, a tiltsensor, a proximity sensor, a speaker 1203, a microphone 1204, anelectromagnetic sensor, a motion sensor, a position sensor, a velocitysensor, an acceleration sensor, a heart rate sensor, a blood pressuresensor, a calorimeter, and the like.

As depicted in FIG. 12A, a pressure sensor 1208 may comprise a straingage placed under the surface of the dining plate and electricallyconnected to a Wheatstone bridge electrical circuit (not shown, butknown to those skilled in the art). A temperature sensor 1209 maycomprise a thermistor (electrical circuit not shown, but known to thoseskilled in the art). A proximity sensor may comprise an infraredemitter-detector pair of LEDs 1210 (electrical circuit not shown, butknown to those skilled in the art). These sensors communicate theirsignals to the processor (memory and interconnections not shown, butknown to those skilled in the art) via the connector 1211 on the diningplate mating with connector 1212 on the non-dining underplate. Inconjunction with or independent of the temperature sensor 1209 one mayhave a heating element 1217 that serves to heat the food and, ifdesired, maintain the food at a desired temperature, where thetemperature sensor 1209 may be used to control the heating element 1217.

The dining plate of FIG. 12B may communicate information with thenon-dining underplate of FIG. 12C via a wired or wireless connection.Wired connections include, but are not limited to comprising metalcontacts which touch mating metal contacts. Wireless connectionsinclude, but are not limited to electromagnetic communication,light-based communication, acoustic communication, and the like.Electromagnetic communication may be used to communicate data as well aspower (typically via a transformer). Light-based communication mayinclude optoisolators.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a processor 1300, such as amicroprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), and thelike. The processor may have associated with it computer memory, such asRAM and ROM, and have a computer program in the memory. The processormay also be a Programmable Logic Array (PLA) or Programmable Array Logic(PAL). The processor is communicating with one or more sensing anddisplay devices. Such devices include, but are not limited to visualindicators including LEDs 1301, which may have associated controlhardware and software 1302, LCDs 1303, which may have associated controlhardware and software 1304, plasma displays, electroluminescent lightsources and fluorescent displays, CRTs, speakers 1305, includingvoice-coil and piezo-electric speakers, which may have associatedcontrol hardware and software 1306, microphones 1307, motors 1308 whichmay have associated control hardware and software 1309, force- andtactile-feedback displays, motion sensors, temperature sensors 1310,pressure sensors 1311, contact sensors, moisture sensors, humiditysensors, tilt sensors, wireless ports, USB communication ports 1312,serial ports, parallel ports, Fire-wire ports, CD drives 1313, memorycard ports, on/off and other control switches 1314, antennae 1315, powersources 1316, and the like. Any of the sensing and display devices mayhave their own dedicated control hardware and software even though notexplicitly shown in the figure.

Not all possible sensing and stimulating components or devices accordingto the subject invention are shown in FIG. 13. Only a few exemplarysensing and display devices are depicted, and the details of theinterconnections and interface hardware and software are known to thoseskilled in the art. There is a multitude of sensing and displaytechnologies capable of providing the desired results, and not all suchspecific technologies are listed. For example, when a motor 1308 islisted, it may be an electrical motor, pneumatic motor, piezo-electricmotor, hydraulic motor, or any other technology for producing a linearor angular displacement based on a control signal. When a temperaturesensor is listed, it may be a thermistor, thermocouple, and the like, orany other device for detecting temperature and converting it into ausable signal. When a power source is listed, it may be a battery, A/Cadapter, transformer, or any other device for storing, converting orgenerating electrical power.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a dining utensil 1400 which includes activesensing and feedback. More specifically, the dining utensil is a fork,where light guides 1401 extend into the tines 1402 from LEDs 1403positioned in the handle 1404. There is also an on/off switch 1405,power source 1406 and circuitry 1407 positioned in the handle 1404. TheLEDs 1403 are connected to the circuitry 1407 via interconnections 1408,the switch 1405 is connected to the circuitry 1407 via interconnections1409 and the power source 1406 is connected to the circuitry 1407 viainterconnections 1410. The details of the circuitry 1407 are known tothose skilled in the art. The switch 1405 may be any contact orproximity sensor, and the power source 1406 may be any device forsupplying power, including but not limited to a battery.

FIGS. 15A-15C are plan views of three different examples of activedining utensils. In FIG. 15A, a fork 1500 has light guides 1501emanating from light sources 1502 and where the light guides directlight emission for illuminating desired portions of the fork, such aseach of three tines 1503. A power source, on/off switch, controlelectronics and interconnections are not shown for clarity and are knownto those skilled in the art. Similarly, FIG. 15B is a spoon 1504 withlight guides 1505 emanating from light sources 1506 and where the lightguides direct light emission for illuminating desired portions of thespoon, such as a pattern in the end of the spoon 1507. Again, electricaldetails are omitted for clarity and are known to those skilled in theart. FIG. 15C is a knife 1508 with light guide 1509 emanating from alight source 1510 and where the light guide directs light emission forilluminating desired portions of the knife such as the blade 1511 of theknife. Again, electrical details are omitted for clarity and are knownto those skilled in the art.

FIG. 15D is a drinking container 1512 with multiple active components.In this embodiment, four different light guide examples are shown,including a star 1513, a crescent moon 1514, a double wavy line 1515 anda spiral 1516. In this figure, the spiral 1516 is shown on an optionalstraw associated with the drinking container. Each light guide isassociated with a light source and each light guide directs lightemission for illuminating desired portions of the container. Thedrinking container as shown also comprises a light source 1517 withoutlight guide. The light source may be an LED. Again, electrical detailsare omitted for clarity and are known to those skilled in the art. Ineach of the FIGS. 15A-15D, the light sources may be energized in adesired spatial or temporal pattern and may be energized based on asignal from any of a variety of sensors (not shown) and including butnot limited to a contact sensor, tilt sensor, moisture sensor,temperature sensor, auditory sensor, radio frequency sensor,electromagnetic sensor, optical sensor, and the like.

FIGS. 16A and 16C are a side view and plan view, respectively, of adrinking container 1600 with active components. In this embodiment, thecontainer wall 1601 is filled with two liquids such as water with oil,where the specific gravity of the oil is greater than that of the water.In the base 1602 of the container are a lighting source 1603 and aheating source. In this embodiment, the lighting source is anincandescent light and also serves as the heating source. There may alsobe an on/off switch 1604, power source 1605, electrical controlcircuitry 1606 and interconnections 1607. In this embodiment, theelectrical control circuitry is an electrical resistor and the powersource is a battery. Such electronics may also be distributed throughoutthe container wall and need not be concentrated only in the base. Thedetails of such electrical circuitry are known to those skilled in theart. Since oil and water don't mix, the oil will exist in amorphousshapes 1608 throughout the water 1609. Additionally, since the oil isheavier than water the oil shapes will sink to the bottom of the waternear the base of the container. There the heating source will heat theoil, and surrounding water, causing the oil to rise to nearer the top ofthe container wall while the cooler oil shapes and the water nearer thetop sink toward the bottom. Over time, some oil shapes will separateinto multiple pieces, while other oil shapes will recombine.Additionally, due to the varying optical properties of the oil andwater, the light source in the base will create interesting andentertaining optical patterns as the oil shapes move.

The specific type of oil and/or the particular properties of the watermay be selected to provide desired physical and optical properties. Forinstance, different oils may exhibit desirable fluorescing properties;they may have different separating and recombining properties and maysink and rise at different rates.

FIG. 16B is an dining utensil comprising similar oil-water technology.In this embodiment, a knife handle 1610 has oil 1611 and water 1612 init, and also comprises a lighting and heating source, along with theassociated electronics, which are not shown in this embodiment and areknown to those skilled in the art.

FIGS. 16A-16C are simple examples of components of an active foodwaresystem, such as a drinking container and an dining utensil, whichpossess active components. The particular exemplifications shown inthese figures are illustrative of these types of components and is notintended to be limiting.

Active foodware systems may also comprise electrostatic technology. Forexample, a component of an active foodware system may be partiallyhollow and filled with a gas containing ions and an energized electrodesuch that where the user/diner contacts the external surface of thecomponent of the active foodware system an electrical arc will occur,looking like a miniature lightning bolt from the electrode to the pointof user/diner contact. Such technology is known to those skilled in theart and the details are not presented explicitly but are incorporatedherein by reference.

An active foodware system is desirable in many applications, includingentertainment and promotion at home and in a restaurant. For example,fast food chains may provide an active foodware system as a promotionalitem. Active foodware systems with lighting sources will make it fun toeat in an otherwise dark environment. Lighting sources may include blacklights, and oils may include associated fluorescence matched to theblack lights.

FIG. 17A is a frontal view of a liquid container 1700 with an activecomponent. In this particular embodiment a beer bottle has a label 1701with light guide 1702, light source 1703, function control switch 1704and electrical circuitry 1705 which contains an electrical power source.As is the case with other light guides, the light guide guides lightfrom the light source to one or more locations where the light isemitted for the user/diner to see. The light may be emitted over theentire length of the light guide, over a portion of the light guideand/or at one or more discrete points. In the embodiment of FIG. 17A anindicia of label 1701, such as the name of a beer, is illuminated,producing a similar visual effect to a miniature neon street sign. Lightsources producing different colors may be used.

FIG. 17B is a cutaway top view of FIG. 17A showing the light guide 1702and associated components affixed to the label 1701 which is affixed tothe front of the liquid container.

FIG. 17C is a cutaway view similar to FIG. 17B, but where the lightingsource 1706 and light guide 1707 are positioned inside the wall 1708 ofthe liquid container. The light from the lighting source may be guidedin a variety of manners, including via a light fiber, electroluminescentlight source, a light tube, a light channel which may contain air, gas,or another fluid, which may fluoresce, and the like. The associatedelectronics are not shown but are known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 17D is a cutaway view of FIG. 17E where at least a portion of thelight guide 1709 is located inside the liquid 1710 of the liquidcontainer 1711. The light from the lighting source 1712 may be guided ina variety of manners, including via a light fiber, a light tube, and thelike. With such a location, the light guide 1709 can illuminate theliquid 1710 being contained. The light source 1712 may be located in avariety of convenient places, including inside the wall of thecontainer, in the liquid inside the container, or in any location wherelight from the light source can enter the light guide. The associatedelectronics are not shown but are known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 17E is a side cross-section view of the liquid container 1711 ofFIG. 17D, where at least a portion of the light guide 1709 is positionedinside the liquid 1710 in the liquid container. The associatedelectronics are not shown but are known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 18A is a frontal view of a liquid container 1800 with an activelabel. The label 1801 may include a variety of display elements such aspictures or the segments of a 7-segment display 1802. The activeelements of the label may include LCD or LED technology. The label mayhave a function switch 1803 which may be used to turn on/off the displayand select the desired images to display. The associated electronics,including the power source, are not shown for clarity but are known tothose skilled in the art.

FIG. 18B is a frontal view of a liquid container 1804 with a label witha matrix of individually controllable picture elements (pixels) capableof producing a large number of desirable images. The label 1805 may be aseparate component associated with the liquid container or the label maybe a region of the container itself comprising one or more activecomponents. Similar to a television screen, the pixels may produce text1806 or other images 1807 which may appear to move given appropriatepixel sequencing. The label of this specific embodiment also comprisesan auditory output device 1808. Such an auditory output device may be apiezo-electric speaker, voice-coil speaker, or any other suitable devicefor producing sound. The label as shown also comprises a functioncontrol switch 1809; although, multiple function control switches may beused. The function control switch may turn on/off the visual display,may turn on/off the auditory output and may select from one or morevisual or auditory displays.

FIG. 18C is an electrical block diagram comprising a processor 1810,function control switch 1811, power source 1812, audio amplifier 1813,audio output device 1814 and visual display with driver 1815. Theelectrical block diagram also includes one or more optional sensors 1816and optional wireless communication capabilities 1817. The label mayalso include a microphone (not shown) to detect spoken user/diner input.Sensors include, but are not limited to, contact sensors, motionsensors, temperature sensors, positions sensors, humidity sensors, lightsensors, auditory sensors, liquid level sensors, sensors to detectwhether the container is open, and the like. Details of the electricalblock diagram and how to physically implement it are known to thoseskilled in the art.

With the embodiment of FIG. 18B a user/diner may see and/or hear movingadvertisements on the label. Advertisements may be associated withsignals from one or more sensors. A vendor can send updatedadvertisements that may be associated with signals from one or moresensors. For example, if a sensor is a global positioning system (GPS),a liquid container vendor may send an advertisement specific to theuser/diner's city or restaurant. A restaurant may send an advertisementto a user/diner inside their restaurant, and the user/diner may respondby activating a function control switch on the liquid container or byspeaking into the microphone. Using sensors, information may becollected about the user/diner.

Many of the embodiments depicted thus far have included a liquidcontainer but are meant to exemplify how active components may beassociated with a broad class of active foodware systems and not limitedto liquid containers.

FIG. 19A is a side cross-sectional view of an active dining plate 1900comprising a stationary dining surface 1901 and a movable inner portion1902. In this embodiment, the movable inner portion is a rotating diskbeing rotated by a flat “pancake” motor 1903. A plan view of therotating disk is shown in FIG. 19B. The stationary dining surface maycomprise one or more active elements, including but not limited to LEDs1904 and light guides. The stationary dining surface may also comprise aportion 1905 which is translucent such that light coming from themovable inner portion can be seen by the user/diner. The dining surfacemay have one or more elements for diffusing, modifying or transmittinglight coming from the movable inner portion. Such elements may includelight guides 1906, components 1907 with different shapes and indices ofrefraction, translucent films, and the like. The movable inner portion1902 may comprise one or more active components, including but notlimited to light sources such as LEDs 1908, light guides with associatedlight sources 1909, LED or LCD panels 1910, reflective surfaces 1911,electroluminescent elements, and the like. Text and images may bedisplayed and may provide advertisements. Kaleidoscopic images may beproduced. Details of the electrical circuitry have been omitted forclarity but are known to those skilled in the art. As with otherembodiments, the active technologies shown in the embodiment here with adining plate may also be applied to other active foodware systemcomponents, including cups, utensils and the like.

FIG. 20A is a side cross-section view of a stationary dining surface2000 with a first movable inner portion 2001. Although the activesensing and feedback features are not redrawn in FIG. 20A for clarity,the stationary dining surface 2000 and first movable inner portion 2001of the embodiment of FIG. 20A may have similar active sensing andfeedback features to the stationary dining surface 1901 and movableinner portion 1902, respectively, of FIGS. 19A and 19B; however, ratherthan the first movable inner portion 2001 being directly moved by amotor, the first movable inner portion 2001 of the embodiment of FIG.20A is magnetically coupled via magnets to a second movable portion 2002which is moved by a motor 2003 and which may be positioned below thefirst movable portion 2001. There are various ways to magneticallycouple the first movable portion with the second movable portion suchthat movement of the second movable portion causes the first movableportion to move. For example, the second movable portion may havemagnets 2004, which may be permanent magnets or electromagnets, whichare positioned in functional relation to iron-based objects 2005 in thefirst movable portion, such that the magnetic fields 2006 provided bythe magnets of the second movable portion pass through the stationarydining surface 2000 and provide a magnetic attraction to the iron-basedobjects 2005 in the first movable portion 2001. Accordingly, as thefirst movable portion moves, the second movable portion similarly moves.Alternatively, the first movable portion may comprise magnets, eitherpermanent magnets or electromagnets, which magnetically couple toiron-based objects in the motorized second movable portion.

FIGS. 21A-21D are plan views of an embodiment of an active dining plate2100 where a refreshable moving image, depicted as a spider 2101, may beviewed by the user/diner. The image may be generated by a variety oftechnologies including an LCD screen in functional relation to thedining plate. For instance, the LCD screen may be affixed to the diningplate, or it may be positioned beneath the top surface and viewedthrough optics in the dining plate. The dining plate may compriseoptics, including but not limited to optics which enlarge the image,decrease the size of the image, distort the image, redirect all or aportion of the light from the image or allow the image to be viewedunaltered. FIGS. 21A-21D show images of a moving spider at differenttimes. In FIG. 21A, the spider 2101 is at the top of the active diningplate 2100; in FIG. 21B, the spider 2101 has crawled counterclockwisearound the perimeter of the active dining plate 2100; in FIG. 21C, thespider 2101 has crawled even further counterclockwise; and in FIG. 21D,the spider 2101 has descended down a web 2102.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of an active dining plate 2200 where informationis displayed. In this embodiment, the information is displayed aroundthe periphery of the dining plate; although, it could be displayed atany convenient location on the dining plate. The information mayinclude, but is not limited to, text, graphics, images, advertisements2201, news flashes, stock quotes 2202, time 2203, temperature, weather,sports scores, song information which may be accompanied by music comingfrom a speaker associated with the plate, appointment notification, aphone number, a greeting, and the like. The information that isdisplayed on the active foodware system dining plate may bepre-programmed into memory associated with the dining plate, it may bereceived in real time and/or it may be provided to the dining plate viawired or wireless technology, external media, and the like.

FIG. 23A is a plan view of an active foodware system dining plate 2300.This embodiment has a movable character 2301 for communicating with theuser/diner. The plate also comprises optional boundaries 2302 andpartition labels 2303 associated with the contents 2304 of thepartitions. The boundaries may be physical or visually displayedboarders. The character may communicate with the user/diner, for examplea child, where the character entertains, encourages and/or coaches, andthe like, the user/diner while eating. The character may be a computergenerated animation, recorded video, and the like. Visual, auditory andhaptic feedback may be associated with the character. In one scenario,the character may use auditory feedback to tell a young user/diner howgood beans taste and that all his friends finish their beans, so theyoung user/diner is encouraged to eat a food he might otherwise not.

FIG. 23B is a plan view of a computing device 2305 which is able tocommunicate with the active foodware system dining plate 2300, or ingeneral, with any active foodware system component. In this embodiment,the computing device is handheld and has a touch screen 2306, includinga graphical display, with optional stylus 2307 and keyboard 2308. Thecomputing device may communicate with the active foodware system diningplate wirelessly or via wires. The details of such wired and/or wirelesscommunication is known by those skilled in the art. One application isthat a parent may use the computing device to communicate with a childuser/diner via their active foodware system dining plate. For example,using an optional stylus 2307, the parent may touch a part of a touchscreen 2306 on the computing device corresponding to a particularlocation or food on the child's active foodware system dining plate andwhich may invoke a desired response from the moveable character 2301 ormay invoke some other feedback to the child. For example, the parent maytouch a partition 2309 on their touch screen labeled “BEANS,” causingthe character animated on the dining plate to appear to jump over thepartition on the dining plate from the “MEAT” to the “BEANS,” and usingauditory or visual feedback ask the child if he would please eat somebeans. The dining plate may have contact or proximity sensing (notshown, but known to those skilled in the art) capable of detecting thatthe child is using a utensil in proximity to the beans such that thecharacter then gives positively reinforcing feedback to the child. Theremay be a wide variety of commands the parent can invoke from thecomputing device that produce desired feedback to the child user/dinervia his active foodware system.

FIG. 24A is a perspective view of a dining plate 2400 with food 2401 onit and with a visual display 2402, such as an LCD or plasma display inclose functional relationship to the dining plate. In this embodiment,the visual display 2402 is attached to the dining plate 2400 such thatthere is at least a portion of the visual display 2402 which is notintended to be covered by food 2401. The visual display 2402 may beattached to the dining plate 2400 by a hinge 2403 such that the angle ofthe visual display may be changed by the user/diner. Such optional hingeincludes, but is not limited to two-piece hinges with a mating pin,living hinges, flexible joints, and the like. The visual display 2402may be able to be tilted all the way back so it lies in the same planeas the dining plate 2400. The visual display 2402 may also be able to betilted all the way forward so it covers the dining plate 2400. Thecontrol and communication circuitry of the visual display is known tothose of ordinary skill in the art and may be located at any convenientlocation, including behind the visual display screen or under the diningplate. The circuitry is not shown here for clarity. One advantage ofthis embodiment is that information 2404 of the visual display 2402 willnot be obscured by food 2401, yet the visual display 2402 is stillclosely associated with the dining plate 2400. Auditory sensorystimulating components, sensing components and/or haptic components mayalso be associated with the dining plate of this embodiment.

FIG. 24B is a perspective view of a food container 2405 with food 2406in it and with a visual display 2407, such as an LCD, electroluminescentdisplay, LED display or plasma display in close functional relationshipto the container. A typical use for this embodiment is found with fastfood restaurants, such as where children's meals, chicken pieces and thelike are distributed. In this embodiment, the visual display 2407 isassociated with the lid 2410 of the food container such that there is atleast a portion of the visual display 2407 which is not intended to becovered by the food 2406. The visual display 2407 may be affixed to thelid 2410 of the food container, which may be flexibly attached to thebottom portion 2411 of the food container by a hinge 2408 such that theangle of the visual display may be changed by the user/diner. Suchoptional hinge 2408 includes, but is not limited to two-piece hingeswith a mating pin, living hinges, flexible joints, and the like. Thefood container lid with associated visual display may be able to betilted all the way back so the visual display lies in the same plane asthe bottom surface of the bottom portion of the food container. The foodcontainer lid with associated visual display may also be able to betilted all the way forward so the lid covers the bottom portion of thefood container. The control and communication circuitry of the visualdisplay is known to those of ordinary skill in the art and may belocated at any convenient location on or about the food container,including in the lid behind the associated visual display screen orunder the bottom portion of the food container. The circuitry is notshown here for clarity. One advantage of this embodiment is thatinformation 2409 of the visual display 2407 will not be obscured by food2406, yet the visual display 2407 is still closely associated with thefood container 2405. Auditory sensory stimulating components, sensingcomponents and/or haptic components may also be associated with the foodcontainer of this embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an active foodwaresystem 2520 comprising a structure 2518. In this embodiment there arethree food dishes 2500, 2501 and 2502, respectively, each dish being ona food-sensing platform (not shown). A first video 2519 of a cartooncomprising a monkey 2505 and elephant 2504 is being displayed on thescreen 2503. The example is demonstrating the case where the food 2506from at least one food dish 2500 is not being eaten fast enough suchthat lights 2507 associated with the food dish 2500 are illuminated, thefirst video 2519 is paused and a second video 2508 predominates where acharacter 2509 of the second video 2508 encourages the diner (in thiscase, “Billy”) to please eat more of the food 2506 in a particular fooddish 2500.

Other active foodware components of the active foodware system include afork 2510 with lighted tines 2511 and a drinking cup 2512 with lighteddesigns 2513 and an LED 2514. For further description of these and otherfoodware components refer to FIGS. 14-16. Operation of the activefoodware system 2520 may be controlled by other devices. Controller2515, as depicted, allows a person to direct commands to the diner toeat from a specified dish by pressing any of the buttons 2516, 2521 and2522. The controller 2515 sends a wireless signal 2517 to controllingcircuitry (not shown) in the structure 2518. The wireless signal 2517causes the first video 2519 to pause and launches the second video 2508,where the second video 2508 instructs the diner to eat more of the food2506 in the dish 2500. The signal 2517 also causes lights 2507 to beilluminated. The signal 2517 may be transmitted to the circuitry usinginfrared or RF technology, and the like. Alternately, the signal 2517may be sent using a wired connection.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an active foodware system 2607. In afirst useful embodiment, the structure 2600 includes an integralprocessor (not visible) and a display 2602; in a second usefulembodiment, the structure 2600 is capable of receiving a processor anddisplay, such as may be provided by a laptop computer 2601 with display2603 and keyboard 2605. In the second embodiment typically at least aportion 2604 of the structure 2600 covers at least a portion 2608 of thelaptop computer 2601, and protects the laptop computer 2601 and itskeyboard 2605 from food. Also in the second embodiment, the screen 2602of the structure 2600 is translucent and protects the laptop display2603 from food. In both the first and second embodiments, the structure2600 includes at least one food dish where at least one characteristicor attribute of food (not shown) put on the dining surface of the dishis sensed. Typical food characteristics that are sensed include weightand center of mass. In the figure, three dishes 2606 are depicted.Regardless of whether the structure 2600 includes an integral display orreceives a display, the structure 2600 may include stimulatingcomponents, such as visual, auditory or haptic stimulating components,none of which are shown in FIG. 26. Typical visual stimulatingcomponents include LEDs and electroluminescent wire. The sensingcircuitry is not shown and typically is connected either by wire orwirelessly to the circuitry associated with the processor. A computerprogram controlling the processor may cause an action in response to thecharacteristic of the food that is sensed. For example, a video or musicfile being displayed by a stimulating component may be paused if thefood is not being consumed at a desired rate as determined by a sensorsensing the weight of the food over time.

FIGS. 27A and 27B are perspective views of a portion of an activefoodware system structure 2700. The structure 2700 is capable ofreceiving a processor and display, such as provided by the laptopcomputer 2601 of FIG. 26. The structure 2700 may include any of avariety of useful stimulation and sensing components, none of which areshown in FIGS. 27A and 27B. Rather, FIGS. 27A and 27B are simplifiedhere to exemplify key concepts of a useful hinge structure, such as maybe employed by the second embodiment of FIG. 26. When the hingestructure of FIGS. 27A and 27B is employed by the second embodiment ofFIG. 26, the view of FIGS. 27A and 27B is looking up from the lowerright of the structure 2600 of FIG. 26. The hinge structure permits thestructure 2700 to open into a first configuration (FIG. 27A), where itmay cover all or a portion of a laptop computer 2601 to protect it fromfood. The hinge structure also permits the structure 2700 to close in asecond configuration (FIG. 27B), where it becomes more compact forstorage and also serves to protect sensing and circuitry components.

In FIGS. 27A and 27B the active foodware structure 2700 has a displaystructure 2701 for supporting a translucent surface 2703 in proximity tothe display 2603 of the laptop 2601 to protect the display 2603 fromfood. The display structure 2701 may rest on, contact or register to theframe surrounding the display 2603. The display structure 2701 includeslinks 2705 and 2708 and, via hinge pins 2707 and 2710, respectively, ispositioned relative to a structure surface 2704 which includes matinglinks 2706 and 2709, respectively. The edge 2702 between the structuresurface 2704 and mating link 2709 is identified to help clarify therelation between the configurations of FIGS. 27A and 27B.

FIG. 28 is a close-up perspective view of a portion of an activefoodware system 2800 including a structure with a surface 2801, afood-sensing surface 2802 and a dining dish 2803. Sometimes, thefood-sensing surface 2802 with its electrical circuitry is referred toas an active component; whereas, the dining dish 2803 when it containsno electronics is referred to as a passive component. The food-sensingsurface 2802 may lie below, lie at the same level or lie above thestructure surface 2801. The dining dish 2803, which may be microwavable,refrigerator safe, freezer safe, oven safe, etc., is typically filledwith food and then placed on the food-sensing surface. The circuitry forthe food-sensing surface is not shown. The portion of an active foodwaresystem 2800 may include any of a variety of useful and desirablestimulation and sensing components, and may represent the front portionof the active foodware systems of FIGS. 25-27. The cross-section A-Athrough the portion of the active foodware system 2800 of FIG. 28 thatincludes the food-sensing surface 2802 is further described in FIGS.29A-29D. Each embodiment of FIGS. 29A-29D is sometimes referred to as atype of active subsystem.

FIG. 29A is a first embodiment of cross section A-A through the portionof the active foodware system 2800 of FIG. 28 that includes thefood-sensing surface 2802. The food-sensing surface 2907 and the surface2903 of FIG. 29A correspond to the food-sensing surface 2802 and thesurface 2801, respectively, of FIG. 28. In FIG. 29A a load cell 2900 isused to measure the “combined weight” of the food-sensing surface 2907,a food dish 2803 resting on the food-sensing surface 2918, and any foodput on the dining surface of the food dish. In this first embodiment,the active foodware system 2800 employing the load cell 2900 senses inreal time changes in the weight of food present on the dining surface ofthe food dish and infers how quickly food is being eaten, and the activefoodware system 2800 causes a corresponding stimulation to be presentedto the diner and/or inform another person.

In FIG. 29A, the end 2901 of the load cell 2900 is spaced away from thesurface 2903 by a spacer 2902 and affixed to the surface 2903 by afastener 2904. The end 2905 of the load cell 2900 is affixed to thefood-sensing surface 2907 by a fastener 2908 and spaced away from thefood-sensing surface 2907 by a spacer 2906. Food spilled from the fooddish 2803 is prevented from reaching the load cell 2900 and itsassociated electrical circuitry (not shown) by a seal 2909. The seal2909 is typically a flexible material, such as rubber or plastic, thatcan be cleaned and sanitized and can provide a water-tight seal betweenthe food-sensing surface 2907 and the surface 2903.

The load cell 2900 has a flexible section 2910 that helps direct bendingin a known manner. The flexible section 2910 of the load cell 2900 maybe created by removing material from the load cell, such as by drilling,sanding, machining, milling, etc. The flexible section 2910 may also becreated by an appropriate mold in the case where the load cell is moldedor cast. The flexible section 2910 of the load cell 2900 causes a“double bending” of the load cell 2900 when a load is applied to the end2905 relative to the end 2901, resulting in a deflection of the end 2905relative to the end 2901. The load cell 2900 has four strain gages 2911,2912, 2913 and 2914 mounted near the flexible section 2910 to measurethe amount of double bending when the end 2905 deflects relative to theend 2901 due to the combined weight. Wires from the strain gages areomitted from the drawing for clarity. As food is added to the diningsurface of the dish 2803 resting on the food-sensing surface 2907, theend 2905 deflects further relative to the end 2901, and the strain gages2911 and 2914 increase their strain while the strain gages 2912 and 2913decrease their strain. Similarly, as food is removed from the diningsurface of the dish 2803 resting on the food-sensing surface 2907, thedeflection of the end 2905 relative to the end 2901 decreases, and thestrain gages 2911 and 2914 decrease their strain while the strain gages2912 and 2913 increase their strain. An electrical circuit whichconverts signals from the strain gages into an electrical signal relatedto the combined weight is provided in FIG. 30.

One useful embodiment of the load cell 2900 is made from an aluminumalloy, where the depth dimension (into the page) and height dimensiontypically range from ¼″ to 1″, and the length dimension typically rangesfrom 1″ to 6″. Transducer Techniques® of Temecula, Calif. manufacturessuch load cells, including their EBB Series. Another type of load cellwhich may be employed to sense weight of food on the food-sensingsurface is a “thin beam” load cell, which may be made from a materialsuch as 301 SS beryllium copper with a thinner height dimension thattypically ranges from 0.002″ to 0.1″. Again, Transducer Techniquesmanufactures such thin beam load cells, including their TBS series.

FIG. 29B is a second embodiment of cross section A-A through the portionof the active foodware system 2800 of FIG. 28 that includes thefood-sensing surface 2802. The food-sensing surface 2918 and the surface2920 of FIG. 29B correspond to the food-sensing surface 2802 and thesurface 2801, respectively, of FIG. 28. In FIG. 29B a compression loadcell 2915 is used to measure the “combined weight” of the food-sensingsurface 2918, a food dish 2803 resting on the food-sensing surface 2918,and any food put on the dining surface of the food dish. In this secondembodiment, the active foodware system 2800 employing the compressionload cell 2915 senses in real time changes in the weight of food presenton the dining surface of the food dish and infers how quickly food isbeing eaten, and the active foodware system 2800 causes a correspondingstimulation to be presented to the diner and/or inform another person.

In FIG. 29B, the food-sensing surface 2918 rests on the load button 2917of the compression load cell 2915 which rests on the recessed section2916 of the surface 2920. Food spilled from the food dish 2803 isprevented from reaching the compression load cell 2915 and itsassociated electrical circuitry (not shown) by a seal 2919. The seal2919 is typically a flexible material, such as rubber or plastic, thatcan be cleaned and sanitized and can provide a water-tight seal betweenthe food-sensing surface 2918 and the surface 2920.

As food is added to the dining surface of dish 2803 resting on thefood-sensing surface 2918, the load button 2917 applies pressure to thebody of the compression load cell 2915. The applied pressure istypically sensed by strain gages inside the body of the compression loadcell 2915. Electrical wires from the compression load cell 2915 areomitted from the figure for clarity. Using an electrical circuitconsistent with the configuration of strain gages employed, the combinedweight and changes in the amount of food present on the dining surfacecan be measured. A typical electrical circuit is similar to the circuitof FIG. 30. When three or more compression load cells 2915 are used, thecenter of mass of the food on the dining surface can also be measured.

One useful embodiment of the compression load cell 2915 is made fromheat treated 17-4ph stainless steel, with body diameter ranging from ¼″to 3″ and height ranging from ⅛″ to 2″. Transducer Techniquesmanufactures such compression load cells, including their SLB series.

FIG. 29C is a third embodiment of cross section A-A through the portionof the active foodware system 2800 of FIG. 28 that includes thefood-sensing surface 2802. The food-sensing surface 2921 and the surface2932 of FIG. 29C correspond to the food-sensing surface 2802 and thesurface 2801, respectively, of FIG. 28. In FIG. 29C a displacementsensor 2946 is used to measure the displacement of the food-sensingsurface 2921 resulting from the “combined weight” of the food-sensingsurface 2921, a food dish 2803 resting on the food-sensing surface 2921,and any food put on the dining surface of the food dish. Thedisplacement sensor 2946 has a movable element 2931 attached to thefood-sensing surface 2921 and a stationary element 2930 attached tospring-retention member 2928. The displacement sensor 2946 may be anyconvenient displacement sensor, including but not limited to (1) alinear encoder, where a movable element 2931 has encoder slots, and astationary element 2930 contains optical sensors for sensing the encoderslots; (2) an LVDT (linear variable displacement transducer) where amovable element 2931 is the LVDT movable core, and a stationary element2930 contains the sensing coil; (3) an optical displacement sensor andthe like. In this third embodiment, the active foodware system 2800employing the displacement sensor 2946 senses in real time changes indisplacement corresponding to changes in the weight of food present onthe dining surface of the food dish and infers how quickly food is beingeaten, and the active foodware system 2800 causes a correspondingstimulation to be presented to the diner and/or inform another person.

In FIG. 29C, the food-sensing surface 2921 rests on the compressionsprings 2926 and 2927 which are attached to the surface 2920 by guidemembers 2922 and 2923, respectively. The guide members 2922 and 2923pass through guide openings 2924 and 2925, respectively, of thefood-sensing surface 2921. The guide members 2922 and 2923 are affixedat one end to a surface 2932 and have spring-retention members 2928 and2929 at the other end. Accordingly, springs 2926 and 2927 apply a forcebetween the spring-retention members 2928 and 2929 and the food-sensingsurface 2921. There is at least one compression spring with associateguide member, and typically there are more than two compression springswith associated guide members. Food spilled from the food dish 2803 isprevented from reaching the compression springs 2926 and 2927, guidemembers 2922 and 2923, displacement sensor 2946 and its associatedelectrical circuitry (not shown) by a seal 2933 which follows theperimeter of the opening in the surface 2932 and is attached to thesurface 2932 and to the food-sensing surface 2921. The seal 2933 istypically a flexible material, such as rubber or plastic, that can becleaned and sanitized and can provide a water-tight seal between thefood-sensing surface 2921 and the surface 2932.

As food is added to the dining surface of dish 2803 resting on thefood-sensing surface 2921, the food-sensing surface 2921 compressescompression springs 2926 and 2927 against spring-retention members 2928and 2929, respectively, while a displacement sensor 2946 measures thedisplacement of food-sensing surface 2921 relative to a spring-retentionmember 2929. Electrical wires from the displacement sensor 2946 areomitted from the figure for clarity. Using an electrical circuitconsistent with the type of displacement sensor employed, the combinedweight and changes in the amount of food present on the dining surfacecan be measured. A block diagram of an electrical circuit which convertssignals from a linear encoder into an electrical signal related to thecombined weight is provided in FIG. 31. Multiple displacement sensorsmay be used, and when three or more displacement sensors are used, thecenter of mass of the food on the dining surface can also be measured.

FIG. 29D is a fourth embodiment of cross section A-A through the portionof the active foodware system 2800 of FIG. 28 that includes thefood-sensing surface 2802. The food-sensing surface 2934 and the surface2947 of FIG. 29D correspond to the food-sensing surface 2802 and thesurface 2801, respectively, of FIG. 28. In FIG. 29D at least onedisplacement sensor is used to measure the displacement of thefood-sensing surface 2934 resulting from the “combined weight” of thefood-sensing surface 2934, a food dish 2945 resting on the food-sensingsurface 2934, and any food put on the dining surface of the food dish.The displacement sensor employed may be any convenient displacementsensor, including but not limited to (1) a linear encoder, (2) an LVDT(linear variable displacement transducer), (3) an optical displacementsensor, and the like. The left portion of FIG. 29D shows the use of anoptical displacement sensor 2948, while the right portion of FIG. 29Dshows the use of a linear encoder 2949. Typically, a single displacementsensor technology is employed; however, two different displacementsensor technologies are exemplified in FIG. 29D. The displacement sensor2948 includes an infrared emitter-detector pair 2940 which senses theamount of infrared light that is reflected from the reflective surface2941, which is rigidly attached to the food-sensing surface 2934. As thefood-sensing surface moves up and down, the reflective surface 2941moves closer to, and further from, respectively, the infraredemitter-detector pair 2940, and so the signal from the infraredemitter-detector pair 2940 increases and decreases, respectively. Thedisplacement sensor 2949 includes and infrared emitter-detector pair2937 which reflects light off of a stationary encoder element 2939 whichis attached to a surface 2947. The stationary encoder element 2939 has aseries of light reflective and non-reflective lines 2938 such that whenthe infrared emitter-detector pair 2937 moves relative to the stationaryencoder element 2939 and passes by the series of light reflective andnon-reflective lines 2938 the electrical signal from the infraredemitter-detector pair 2937 increases and decreases, respectively. Thepeaks of the electrical signal may be counted to determine the locationof the infrared emitter-detector pair 2937 relative to the stationaryencoder element 2939. In this fourth embodiment, the active foodwaresystem 2800 employing at least one displacement sensor senses in realtime changes in displacement corresponding to changes in the weight offood present on the dining surface of the food dish and infers howquickly food is being eaten, and the active foodware system 2800 causesa corresponding stimulation to be presented to the diner and/or informanother person.

For a given combined weight, the amount of displacement of thefood-sensing surface 2934 relative to the surface 2947 is determined bythe tension in the tension springs 2942 and 2943 which are attached atone end to food-sensing surface portions 2935 and 2936, respectively,and at the other end to the surface 2947. There is at least one tensionspring, and typically there are more than two tension springs. Foodspilled from the food dish 2945 is prevented from reaching the tensionsprings 2942 and 2943, displacement sensors 2949 and 2948 and theirassociated electrical circuits (not shown) by a seal 2944 which followsthe perimeter of the opening in the surface 2947 and is attached to thesurface 2947 and to the food-sensing surface 2934. The seal 2944 istypically a flexible material, such as rubber or plastic, that can becleaned and sanitized and can provide a water-tight seal between thefood-sensing surface 2934 and the surface 2947.

As food is added to the dining surface of the dish 2945 resting on thefood-sensing surface 2934, the food-sensing surface 2934 extends thetension springs 2942 and 2943 while the displacement sensors 2949 and/or2948 measure the displacement of food-sensing surface 2934 relative tothe surface 2947. Electrical wires from the displacement sensors 2949and 2948 are omitted from the figure for clarity. Using an electricalcircuit consistent with the type of displacement sensor employed, thecombined weight and changes in the amount of food present on the diningsurface can be measured. Multiple displacement sensors may be used, andwhen three or more displacement sensors are used, the center of mass ofthe food on the dining surface can also be measured.

FIG. 30 is an electrical circuit which converts signals from straingages of a load cell into an electrical signal related to the deflectionof the load cell. Such an electrical circuit may be employed todetermine the deflection of the load cell of FIG. 29A or FIG. 29B.Relating to FIG. 29A, the strain gages 2911, 2912, 2913 and 2914correspond to FIG. 30 as the strain gages 3000, 3002, 3003 and 3001which are wired in a Wheatstone Bridge configuration. As the load cell2900 deflects under the load of food, the strain gages 3000 and 3001experience tension (positive strain) and the strain gages 3002 and 3003experience compression (negative strain). These four strain gages formtwo separate voltage dividers of the excitation voltage 3004. Thevoltage divider consisting of the strain gages 3001 and 3002 produces avoltage 3005, and the voltage divider consisting of the strain gages3003 and 3000 produces a voltage 3006. The difference in these twovoltages 3005 and 3006 is determined by the instrumentation amplifier3007. An instrumentation amplifier typically has a high-impedance inputstage, which often includes amplification and filtering, followed by adifferential amplification stage. An instrumentation amplifier may berealized by a single integrated circuit or may be realized usingmultiple integrated circuits and discrete components, such asoperational amplifiers, resistors, capacitors and the like. The outputvoltage 3008 of the instrumentation amplifier 3007 may be filtered by afilter 3009. Such a filter may be any convenient filter, including asecond order Butterworth filter realized by a Sallen-Key operationalamplifier topology. The filtered analog voltage 3010 is input to ananalog-to-digital converter (ADC) 3011 which may use the excitationvoltage 3004 as the conversion reference inputs 3012 and 3013. The ADC3011 may be any convenient converter and may be a single integratedcircuit or be realized using multiple integrated circuits and discretecomponents. The ADC 3011 may be any desired resolution. The digital data3014 from the ADC 3011 is inputted to a processor 3015 for processing.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram of an electrical circuit which convertssignals from a linear encoder into an electrical signal related to thecombined weight and which outputs a light stimulus. Such a circuit maybe employed by the displacement sensors of FIGS. 29C and 29D. The linearencoder 3100 may be any convenient linear encoder, including an opticallinear encoder. An optical linear encoder typically has a movableelement which is movable relative to a housing, where the movableelement is opaque with slots or translucent bands. The housing typicallyhas an infrared emitter for transmitting light and an infrared detectorfor receiving light that passes through the slots or translucent bandsof the movable element. The linear encoder may be used to measure thedisplacement between the moveable element and the housing. An infraredemitter-detector that was used in an exemplary embodiment is a FairchildH21LTB Optologic® Optical Interrupter Switch.

The linear encoder 3100 outputs an encoder signal 3101 comprising twopulse trains one quarter period out of phase. The quadrature detector3102 converts the encoder signal 3101 into a single pulse train and adirection signal, collectively referred to as the quadrature outputsignal 3103. The quadrature detector 3102 may be a specialized singleintegrated circuit or realized using a 74LS74 flip flop or equivalent.The counter 3104 receives the quadrature signal 3103 and determines atotal count signal 3105 corresponding to the absolute position of thelinear encoder. A counter that was used in an exemplary embodiment is aFairchild 74F579A1 integrated circuit. The processor 3106 receives thetotal count signal 3105 and processes it. Based on the value of thetotal count signal 3105, the processor 3106 may output a light command3107 to a latch 3108 which stores the command as the stored lightcommand 3109. The latch 3108 that was used in an exemplary embodiment isa 74LS373. The stored light command 3109 is input to the optical driver3110 which generates the necessary signal 3111 to turn on the light3112. In an exemplary embodiment the optical driver 3110 is a 7406integrated circuit and the light 3112 is an LED.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram of an exemplary algorithm and logic of acomputer program for controlling an embodiment of the subject invention.The logic is for an embodiment where a child is to be encouraged to eatone or more foods at least at a minimum rate. The form of encouragementprovided by this embodiment is his being allowed to watch a video of hischoice while eating, as long as he eats each of the foods in front ofhim fast enough until each is sufficiently gone. Any of a variety ofsingle- or multimedia forms of entertainment or information may providethe encouragement. In this embodiment, if the child does not eat each ofthe foods at least at a specified minimum rate, his desired video ispaused and a warning video is run which specifically asks the child toeat the food he isn't eating fast enough so his desired video maycontinue playing.

In particular, the program starts with block 3200. At this point, thechild's video may be started if it is not already playing. Afterperforming typical programming initialization, such as memoryallocation, the weights of each food compartment are queried in block3201 by the program. Querying the weight may include reading the digitaloutput of the analog-to-digital converter 3011 in FIG. 30. Variousfunctions of the weights are then determined by the program. Forexample, the rate of change of weight in each food compartment istypically calculated. The absolute weights of the foods in eachcompartment, as well as, the rate of decrease of weight, are compared todesired values in block 3202. Until the weight in each compartment isbelow a specified level, then as long as the rate of decrease of weightof each food compartment (which is assumed to correlate with the rate ofconsumption of the food in the respective compartments) is beyond arequired level, the video (i.e., the type of encouragement in this case)is allowed to continue.

If the rate of decrease of food in a particular compartment is not fastenough, then a warning signal is provided to the diner as denoted byblock 3203. A typical warning signal includes the flashing of one ormore lights, typically LEDs, and may include LEDs of different color,and the flashing may be in a variety of sequences. The weights of thefood compartments are queried again as depicted by block 3204 and thenecessary conditions are again tested.

If a warning signal was provided following the previous test and stillthe rate of food consumption is not fast enough in one or more foodcompartments as determined in block 3205 then the video is paused andone or more severe warnings are issued to the diner, such as shown byblock 3206. Such severe warnings may include LEDs that are consistentlyon and a graphical character that comes on a video monitor andspecifically informs the diner that the video will not continue untilmore of a particular food is eaten. The parent may also be alerted byany of a variety of methods, including paging, calling on the phone,email, an auditory signal, text message, and the like. The graphicalcharacter associated with a severe warning may be selected by a parentto be a cartoon that the child diner specifically likes, respects oridentifies with. The character and its attributes (such as synthesizedvoice parameters and movement information) may be selected in variety ofways, including selection from a library of characters in memory on theactive foodware system, or the character and its attributes may bedownloaded from a website. The request the character makes may beentered into a file by the parent and spoken by the active foodwaresystem in a synthesized voice corresponding to the cartoon character. Anexemplary character might be a mouse, and an exemplary request is thefollowing: “Hey Billy. We're having a lot of fun watching the videotogether, but we won't be able to keep watching it unless you eat morevegetables.” The character may then point to the particular dish thatisn't being eaten from quickly enough.

The weight of the food compartments are monitored again as shown byblock 3207. If sufficient food is still not being consumed, asdetermined by block 3208, control of the program returns to block 3206.The parent may enter multiple requests to be spoken by the character,where each time block 3206 is run, a different request may be spoken.Such requests may be selected to be spoken by the character at random orin a particular sequence, such as may be desired when successively moresevere warnings are to be issued.

When the weight of each food container falls below predetermined levelsthe program terminates. Prior to program termination the parent may bealerted that the child has finished eating by any of a variety ofmethods, including paging, calling on the phone, email, auditory signal,text message, and the like. Also prior to program termination, thecharacter may issue a congratulatory stored message, such as: “Good boy,Billy! Thank you for eating all your food. I look forward to watchinganother video with you again later.”

FIG. 33 is an active foodware system comprising a computer 3301 and anactive foodware computer cover 3300. In the figure, the computer 3301 isa portable tablet computer. The active foodware computer cover 3300shows a few exemplary features that an active foodware cover maycomprise; however, the active foodware computer cover 3300 embodiment asshown is not intended to limit the scope of features or structure thatactive foodware computer covers may comprise. In general, an activefoodware computer cover comprises typically at least one foodcompartment, at least one sensory stimulating or sensing component, andcleanable material (typically plastic) for covering and protecting fromspilled food at least a portion of a computer, such as the visualdisplay screen 3309 and keyboard 3310 of a computer 3301.

In FIG. 33 the active foodware computer cover 3300 illustrates threedifferent food compartments; however, typically, when an active foodwarecomputer cover has multiple food compartments each compartment will beof the same general design. The food compartment 3302 includeselectroluminescent visual stimulation 3305 outlining at least a portionof the food compartment 3302. The food compartment 3303 includes LEDvisual stimulation 3306 positioned on the food compartment. The foodcompartment 3304 includes LED visual stimulation 3307 positioned nearthe food compartment. As shown, the active foodware computer cover 3300has a transparent screen 3308 for covering the visual feedback displayscreen 3309 of the computer 3301.

The visual stimulation of a food compartment (3302, 3303 or 3304) may beactivated in association with a computer program running on the computer3301. The active foodware computer cover 3300 typically communicatesinformation with the computer 3301 via wired or wireless technology. Thecomputer 3301 may also provide electrical power to the active foodwarecomputer cover 3300 via wired or wireless technology. When electricalpower is provided wirelessly, it is typically provided via inductivelycoupling the active foodware computer cover 3300 with the computer 3301.

The food compartments may include food sensors, such as weight sensorsor optical sensors, for detecting food and/or monitoring consumption ofthe food in the food compartments. The food compartments may also beused with dishes that may be removed for cleaning and/or microwaving.

FIG. 34 is an active foodware system 3400 illustrating how and wherefood compartments may be positioned relative to a keyboard and monitor.The active foodware system 3400 may comprise an active foodware computercover and computer, or it may be an integrated unit. The followingdescription is for the case where the active foodware system 3400 is anintegrated unit, i.e., the food compartments and any associatedstimulation or sensing are integrated into a computer structurecomprising a processor, memory, keyboard, visual display, and othercomponents typically associated with a laptop computer.

The active foodware system 3400 comprises a transparent cover 3402 overan LCD monitor, where the transparent cover 3402 forms a water tightseal with the monitor housing 3401. A food compartment 3405 is attachedto the monitor housing 3401 and to the side of the monitor screen andtransparent cover 3402. A food compartment 3406 is attached to themonitor housing 3401 via a swivel mounting. The swivel mountingcomprises a first link 3407 with a first end extending from the foodcompartment 3406 and a second end attached to the first end of a secondlink 3408 by a hinge pin 3409. The second end (i.e., non-pinned end) ofthe second link 3408 is attached to the monitor housing 3401.Accordingly, the food compartment 3406 may be rotated to a variety ofdesired positions, such as in front of the monitor or the side.

Food compartments 3410 and 3411 are mounted to the keyboard housing 3412and typically mounted to the side of the keyboard 3404; although, eitherfood compartment 3410 or 3411 may also cover a portion or all of thekeyboard 3404. As shown, the keyboard 3404 is covered by a cleanablematerial 3403 which is typically a transparent, flexible plastic.Although not explicitly shown, as with other embodiments, the foodcompartments may comprise stimulating and/or sensing components, andsuch component may communicate with a processor.

FIG. 35 is an active foodware system comprising a hand-held computer3505 and an active foodware computer cover 3500 which fits over thehand-held computer 3505. The hand-held computer 3505 may be most anyportable device comprising a visual display 3508, processor, memory anda computer program. Types of portable devices include a game pad,personal digital assistant (PDA), portable PC, mobile telephone, and thelike. Examples of such portable devices include the PlayStationPortable® (PSP) by Sony, the Game Boy® Micro by Nintendo, the Tungsten®hand-held computer by Palm, Treo® cell phone by Palm and the Blackberry®by Research In Motion. In the figure, the hand-held computer 3505 hasuser inputs 3506 and 3507. The active foodware computer cover 3500 has astructure 3501 and food compartments 3502 and 3503; although, only onefood compartment is necessary. The active foodware computer cover 3500also has a transparent material, such as plastic, attached to thestructure 3501 which allows the user to see important information on thevisual display 3508, such as a video or gaming feedback, but preventsfood from damaging the hand-held computer 3505 and associatedcomponents.

As was discussed relative to other embodiments of the subject invention,the food compartments may include stimulating and/or sensing components.Such components include LEDs, electroluminescent elements, food sensingdevices such as load cells, and the like. The active foodware computercover 3500 may communicate one or more signals with the hand-heldcomputer 3505, where such communication may be via wire or wirelessconnection. The active foodware computer cover 3500 may operate inassociation with a computer program running on the hand-held computer3505. For example, the hand-held computer 3505 may run a video that ispaused by a computer program running on the hand-held computer 3505 ifthe user isn't eating food in the food compartments 3502 and 3503 at adesired rate as sensed by load cells associated with the foodcompartments 3502 and 3503. If the video is the output display of avideogame, in addition to pausing the game, the game could deduct pointsfrom the user if the user weren't eating at a desired rate. The controls3506 and 3507 of the hand-held computer 3505 may be fully covered,partially covered or not covered at all by the active foodware computercover 3500 depending on the desired level of control accessibility.

FIG. 36 is an active foodware system 3600 capable of accepting aportable device 3604 such as a music player (e.g., an iPod® by AppleComputer), video player, mobile telephone, hand-held gamepad, hand-heldcomputer, and the like. The active foodware system 3600 has a foodcompartment 3601, a docking location 3602 which may comprise a cavityand/or connector, and may comprise a speaker. The speaker may be of anyconvenient speaker design including voice coil or piezoelectric. If itis desired to make the active plate 3700 water tight so it is dishwashersafe, a piezoelectric speaker may be preferred. The portable device 3604typically includes a visual feedback screen 3607, a user input control3606 and a docking connector 3605. A useful embodiment is where theportable device 3604 is an Apple iPod® playing a music video, where themusic video is viewable while eating the food in the food compartment3601 and the music is heard through the speaker 3603. As with otherembodiments, the food compartment 3601 may have associated stimulationand sensing technology (not shown). The sensing technology may comprisea food sensor, such as a load cell, for sensing the amount of foodpresent. The active foodware system 3600 may contain an integralprocessor (not shown) or may use a processor associated with theportable device 3604 to acquire data from the food sensor and affect theoperation of the portable device 3604, such as pause its operation untilfood is consumed as desired.

FIG. 37A is a cross-sectional view of an active foodware systemcomprising an active dining plate 3700 that receives electrical powerwirelessly from an underplate 3711 using a transformer. Thecross-section of the active dining plate 3700 of FIG. 37A is throughsection B-B of FIG. 37B; whereas, the cross-section of the underplate3711 of FIG. 37A is through section C-C of FIG. 37C. FIG. 37B is a planview of the active dining plate 3700; FIG. 37C is a plan view of theunderplate 3711 and FIG. 37D is a schematic diagram of an electricalcircuit for inductively transforming electrical power between the activedining plate 3700 and underplate 3711. The numberings in FIGS. 37A-37Care consistent.

External electrical power, such as from a wall socket, power supply,battery and the like, enters the underplate 3711. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 37A-37C the external power comes from a wall socket via theconnector 3716. The connector 3716 is connected via a wire 3715 to theunderplate electronics module 3714 which may comprise a processor. Theunderplate electronics module 3714 comprises any circuitry for drivingthe leads 3722 and 3723 of the transformer primary coil 3713. If theunderplate 3711 comprises an underplate communications module 3717 theunderplate electronics module 3714 may also communicate information withthe underplate communications module 3717. The underplate communicationsmodule 3717 may communicate information with an external processor via awire 3718 and connector 3719. The underplate communications module 3717may also communicate information with an active dining platecommunications module 3710 in the active dining plate 3700 via wirelesstechnology including infrared (IR) light and radio frequency (RF)electromagnetic waves. When IR light is used to communicate informationbetween the active dining plate communications module 3710 and theunderplate communications module 3717 at least a portion of the activedining plate 3700 and the underplate 3711 between the active diningplate communications module 3710 and the underplate communicationsmodule 3717 is translucent.

The leads 3722 and 3723 are coiled around the core 3712 (which istypically made of iron) creating the primary coil 3713 of a transformer.When the active plate 3700 is placed on top of the underplate 3711 thecore 3712 fits into the cavity 3702. Ideally there is very little gapbetween the core 3712 and the wall of the cavity 3702. Leads 3720 and3721 from the active plate electronics module 3703 encircle the cavitycreating the secondary coil 3701 of the transformer. When an alternating(A/C) voltage signal is placed across the leads 3722 and 3723 of theprimary coil 3713 an electromagnetic field is set up in the core 3712and alternating voltage exists across the leads 3720 and 3721 of thesecondary coil 3701. Ignoring parasitic and other non-ideal voltagelosses, the magnitude of the alternating voltage appearing across theleads 3720 and 3721 of the secondary coil 3701 is equal to thealternating voltage appearing across the leads 3722 and 3723 of theprimary coil 3713 times the ratio of windings of the secondary coil 3701to windings of the primary coil 3713.

The power conditioning module 3703 comprises the voltage rectification,regulation and conditioning circuitry associated with the transformersecondary coil 3701. A block diagram including such circuitry is foundin FIG. 37D. The power conditioning module 3703 is connected to theactive plate electronics module 3704 which typically comprises aprocessor for controlling the functionality of the active dining plate3700. If the active dining plate 3700 comprises an active platecommunications module 3710 the active dining plate electronics module3704 may also communicate information with the active dining platecommunications module 3710.

The embodiment of FIGS. 37A-37C comprises an LCD display 3705 with aprotective transparent screen 3706 in the active dining plate 3700. Theembodiment also includes a speaker 3707 recessed in a cavity 3708 on asloping surface on the underneath portion of the active dining plate3700. The cavity 3708 has a lip 3709 such that any drips of liquid orfood over the edge of the active dining plate will collect on and dripfrom the lip 3709 of the active plate 3700 and not drip onto thespeaker. The active dining plate electronics module 3704 contains thecontroller for controlling the LCD display 3705 and speaker 3707.

FIG. 37D is a schematic diagram of the typical components of anelectrical circuit for transmitting power from a wall socket through theunderplate 3711 and wirelessly to the active dining plate 3700 using aninductive transformer. The electrical power from the wall socket isrepresented by V_(AC IN) 3728. This electrical power is provided to theunderplate 3711 and drives the primary coil 3713 of the transformer witha core 3712, where both the primary coil 3713 and transformer core 3712reside in the underplate 3711. The secondary coil 3701 of thetransformer resides in the active dining plate 3700. The output of thesecondary coil 3701 is alternating current (A/C) so it is firstrectified by the bridge rectifier comprising four power rectifyingdiodes 3724. A part which suffices for such use is a 1N4001 rectifyingdiode. The output of the bridge rectifier is then low-pass filtered.There are many circuits suitable for low-pass filtering. The low-passfilter used in FIG. 37D is a simple passive low-pass filter comprisingresistor R 3725 and capacitor C₁ 3726. To further smooth out ripple andprovide the desired output voltage V_(DC OUT) for other electricalcircuitry a voltage regulator 3727 is used followed by a capacitor 3729.Using the transformer to inductively transmit electrical power from awall socket to the active dining plate 3700 the active dining plate 3700doesn't need any power connectors or battery compartments and thus canbe made to be water tight and dishwasher safe.

FIG. 38 is an active foodware system where the active foodware diningplate 3800 communicates wirelessly with a monitor 3801 having a screen3810 via a wireless transceiver 3802 on the active foodware dining plate3800 and a wireless transceiver 3803 on the monitor 3801. Each wirelesstransceiver may send or receive a wireless signal. The monitor 3801 maybe a television or any other convenient video output device. Thecommunication between the active foodware dining plate 3800 and monitor3801 may also be via wired technology. The wireless technology can beany convenient and effective technology such as infrared (IR), radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RF) and the like. The active foodwaredining plate 3800 may also communicate with a unit 3807 which thencommunicates by a wired or wireless connection 3808 with the monitor3801. The unit 3807 is a device which communicates with a monitor,including but not limited to a digital video recorder (DVR), TiVo®,set-top box, DVD player, VCR, game console, and the like. The activefoodware dining plate 3800 may communicate with the unit 3807 via wiredor wireless link, but in FIG. 38 the unit 3807 is shown to have awireless transceiver 3809 to communicate a wireless signal with theactive foodware dining plate's 3802 wireless transceiver 3802.

The active foodware dining plate 3800 in the embodiment of FIG. 38 hasmultiple food compartments 3804 and a speaker 3805. This particularembodiment also shows the wireless transceiver 3802 extending from themain housing of the active foodware dining plate 3800 by a cable 3806;however, the wireless transceiver 3802 may be a part of the main housingor internal to the main housing. Eating activity in the foodcompartments 3804 may be sensed by sensing technology (not shown) andused to control the monitor 3801 and/or unit 3807. For example, if theactive foodware dining plate 3800 senses that food in food compartments3804 is not being eaten at a desired rate, a video being displayed onthe monitor screen 3810 may be paused until the desired rate isachieved.

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of an active foodware system with apassive dining plate 3900 on top of an optical coupler 3901 which guideslight from the screen 3902 of a visual display 3903 on a supportingsurface 3904. At least a portion 3905 of the optical coupler 3901contacts the passive dining plate 3900 and at least a portion 3906 ofthe optical coupler 3901 contacts the screen 3902. At least a portion ofthe passive dining plate 3900 is translucent near where the passivedining plate 3900 contacts the portion 3905 of the optical coupler. Theindex of refraction and other physical and optical properties of theportions 3905 and 3906 of the optical coupler are selected to providedesired transfer of light from the screen 3902 of the visual display3903 to the passive dining plate 3900, which light then passes throughthe translucent passive dining plate 3900 and is observed by anobserver.

FIGS. 40A and 40B provide another embodiment of an active foodwaresystem where light from a visual display screen is transmitted throughan optional optical coupler and then through a passive dining plate forthe diner to see. FIG. 40A is a plan view of the active foodware systemand FIG. 40B is a cross section of FIG. 40A through section D-D. Thepassive dining plate 4000 has a dining portion 4001 intended for diningand an information portion comprising regions 4005, 4006, 4007, 4008,4009, 4010, 4011, 4012, 4013, 4014, 4015 and 4016 intended to displayinformation to the diner, where such regions are collectively referredto as the information portion 4017.

The passive dining plate 4000 which has at least a portion which istranslucent is placed in confronting relation to a visual display 4002which has screen 4003. An optional optical coupling structure 4004provides optical coupling between the screen 4003 and the passive diningplate 4000. For instance, by selection of the index of refraction of theoptical coupling structure 4004 the bending of light from the time itleaves the screen 4003 until it enters the passive dining plate 4000 canbe controlled. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 40A and 40B thedining portion 4001 of the passive dining plate 4000 rests against thescreen 4003, and the information portion 4017 of the passive plate 4000rests against the optical coupling structure 4004.

In one exemplary application of the embodiment of FIGS. 40A and 40B,thirteen (13) different digital images and/or videos are shown, one inthe dining portion 4001 and one in each of the twelve regions of theinformation portion 4017. In FIG. 40A the boundaries shown between eachof the twelve regions of the information portion 4017 are purelygraphical, such that the boundaries are displayed on the screen 4003 andobserved through the passive dining plate 4000. For instance, at awedding anniversary party, a guest may see ten images from the weddingin regions of the information portion 4017, two videos in the remainingtwo regions of the information portion 4017 and see an image of thewedding invitation in the dining portion 4001. The passive dining plate4000 may be easily washed in the dishwasher or placed in a microwaveoven.

The visual display 4002 may comprise an auditory output, such as aspeaker or speaker jack. The visual display 4002 may also comprise wiredor wireless technology for transferring information to or from thevisual display 4002. The visual display 4002 may also comprise sensorsand/or stimulators and/or a programmable processor for performing otherdesired functions.

FIG. 41A is an active foodware system comprising a computer 4110 and astructure 4100 for holding food in a convenient location relative to thecomputer 4110 such that the diner may easily access the computer 4110while eating and drinking without concern for spilling the food anddrink on the computer 4110, its keyboard 4111, computer monitor 4112 orscreen 4113.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 41A and 41B the structure 4100 hasa base 4107 on which the computer 4110 typically rests. An elevatingstructure for elevating food containers is attached by a section 4105 tothe base 4107. The section 4105 of the elevating structure is rotatablyattached to a section 4103, where the sections 4105 and 4103 are capableof rotating relative to each other around a separating region 4115. Inthe exemplary embodiment of FIG. 41B the elevation of a section 4102 ofthe elevating structure relative to the section 4103 may be adjustedusing a tightening band 4104. For instance, when the tightening band4104 is turned one way the elevation of the section 4102 relative to thesection 4103 may be freely adjusted until the tightening band 4104 isturned the other way until tight.

A liquid container holder 4108 with a cavity 4109 is attached to thesection 4102. A drinking vessel 4114 may be placed in the cavity 4109. Afood tray comprising a frame 4106 and a surface 4101 is also attached tothe section 4102. Accordingly, both the liquid container holder 4108 andthe food tray comprising the frame 4106 and the surface 4101 may beadjusted in both elevation and position relative to the computer 4110via the elevating structure. Typically the surface 4101 is translucentto make it possible to see portions of the computer that would otherwisehave an obstructed view. Likewise, the frame 4106 may also betranslucent. The exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 41A and 41B is configuredfor a diner who uses his right hand to access other items, such as acomputer mouse, writing instrument, napkin and the like. Accordingly,the structure 4100 is shown with elevating structure on the left sideand leaving an unobstructed gap on the right side between the computer4110 and the frame 4106 with the surface 4101. If desired, the frame4106 with the surface 4101 may be rotated such that none, or only aportion, of the frame 4106 and surface 4101 cover the computer 4110.

Similar to FIG. 41B, FIG. 41C provides another useful embodiment thatcomprises a base 4121, an adjustable support structure extending fromthe base, a horizontal dining platform (also referred to as a food trayand a surface 4116) for supporting food, while a keyboard is positionedat least partially under the dining platform, and supported by thesupport structure in a raised position from the base 4121, wheretypically at least a portion of the dining platform is translucent topermit viewing at least a portion of the keyboard during dining.

The embodiment of FIG. 41C is similar to FIG. 41B, but additionally, thefood tray comprising a frame 4115 and a surface 4116 (where typically atleast a portion of the surface 4116 is translucent) is capable of beingextended or retracted, in addition to being rotated and adjusted up anddown. In FIG. 41C, the frame 4115 comprises a fixed frame member 4117 towhich the fixed surface 4119 is attached, and a sliding frame member4118 to which a sliding surface 4120 is attached. The sliding framemember 4118 with the sliding surface 4120 is able to be extended orretracted by the user relative to the fixed frame member 4117 with thefixed surface 4119. Also exemplified in FIG. 41C is a base 4121 that isU-shaped comprising a first base leg 4122 and a second base leg 4123.Depending on the desired spacing between the two legs, 4122 and 4123,the two legs 4122 and 4123 may either be placed in front and/or behind,respectively, a laptop computer, such as a laptop computer 4110, or maybe placed underneath it.

FIG. 42 is an active foodware system comprising a dining plate unit 4200which may further comprise one or more food compartments 4201. Thedining plate unit 4200 comprises a connector 4202 for connecting to adevice. The connector 4202 may also support the connected device in adesired orientation. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 42, theconnector 4202 includes a cavity into which the device is inserted. Inthe exemplary embodiment of FIG. 42, three exemplary devices are shown,but the subject invention is not limited to such three exemplarydevices. The exemplary devices include a portable gaming unit 4208 (suchas a Sony PlayStation Portable®), a computer monitor 4203 and a portablecomputer 4205. The computer monitor 4203 may be part of a tabletcomputer, and the portable computer 4205 may be part of a mobile phone.The device may be connected to the dining plate unit 4200 via a wired orwireless connector, and such connection may be part of the connector4202 or may be achieved by an external connection comprising a connector4214 for connecting to the dining plate unit 4200 and a connector 4215for connecting to the device, and where the connectors 4214 and 4215 areconnected by a wire 4213. The connectors 4214 and 4215 may be USBconnectors, serial connectors, parallel connectors, or any otherconvenient wired or wireless connectors.

In FIG. 42 the portable gaming unit 4208 has user input controls 4210and 4212, and has a visual display 4209. The gaming unit also hasauditory outputs, including a speaker 4217 and an audio output jack4218. The computer monitor 4203 has a screen 4204, a speaker 4219 and anaudio output jack 4220. The portable computer 4205 has a visual display4206, user input buttons 4207, a speaker 4221 and an audio output jack4222. When connected to the dining plate unit 4200, auditory informationfrom a device may be output from a speaker 4216 on the dining plate unit4200. Auditory information may also be input to the dining plate unit4200 via an audio input jack 4223.

FIG. 43 is a computer program with a graphical user interface (GUI)displayed on a computer monitor 4300 with screen 4301, where the GUIallows for easy visual selecting of content to be displayed on an activefoodware system. In general, the computer program with GUI makes iteasier and more intuitive for a hostess to “author” active foodwarecontent. In one example of the computer program a hostess sets aphysical table with four active foodware dining plates, where the diningplates each have a visual display. On her computer the hostess defines agraphical table icon 4302 with four graphical plate icons 4303, 4304,4305 and 4306. Alternately, the hostess may select a table icon withdining plates from a predefined list. Then the hostess may open a folder4307 on her computer containing one or more graphical images 4308, 4309,4310, 4311, 4312 and 4313. Using her computer mouse 4314 and thewell-known “drag and drop” computer mouse paradigm the hostess may“drag” the thumbnail icon of a desired image 4313 from the folder 4307to a second location 4315 and then “drop” the thumbnail icon of thedesired image over the graphical icon of a desired plate 4306. Thecomputer software interprets the action of dragging and dropping thethumbnail icon as a command to display a thumbnail of the image on thecorresponding graphical icon of the desired plate and also to send thenecessary image data to the physical active foodware dining platecorresponding to the graphical plate icon either via wireless or wiredtechnology.

Properties of the image may also be configured using the computerprogram, such as where a slideshow may be exhibited on the dining plate.Such properties include the display of multiple images where the time ofdisplay for an image may be set by the hostess. The hostess may alsoselect how one image wipes or fades into the next. The hostess may alsoselect text or sound to be displayed with the image, such that amultimedia performance may be scripted for each physical dining plate.In general, selectable properties include properties commonly availableby slideshow software, such as Microsoft PowerPoint®.

In the preceding example, the icon that is dragged and dropped from thefolder 4307 represented an image. However, in general, the icon mayrepresent an executable application, a video, a multimedia presentation,object linking and embedding (OLE), a communication link, a computerprogram, function, command, and the like that affects the operation ofthe active foodware system.

FIG. 44 is a computer program with a graphical user interface (GUI)displayed on a computer monitor 4400 with screen 4401, where the GUIallows for easy visual selecting of content to be displayed on an activefoodware system. In general, the computer program with GUI makes iteasier and more intuitive for a hostess to “author” active foodwarecontent. In one example of the computer program a hostess sets aphysical table with the active foodware dining plate 4000 of FIGS. 40Aand 40B. On her computer the hostess selects a graphical plate icon4402, corresponding to active foodware dining plate 4000, with twelvegraphical region icons 4403 through 4414. Then the hostess may open afolder 4415 on her computer containing one or more graphical images 4416through 4421. Using her computer mouse 4422 and the well-known “drag anddrop” computer mouse paradigm the hostess may “drag” the thumbnail iconof a desired image 4421 from the folder 4415 to a second location 4423and then “drop” the thumbnail icon of the desired image over thegraphical icon of a desired region icon 4412. The computer softwareinterprets the action of dragging and dropping the thumbnail icon as acommand to display a thumbnail of the image in the correspondinggraphical region icon and also to send the necessary image data eithervia wireless or wired technology to the physical active foodware diningplate 4000 and display it in the corresponding region 4011.

Properties of the image may also be configured using the computerprogram, such as where a slideshow may be exhibited on the dining plate.Such properties include the display of multiple images where the time ofdisplay for an image may be set by the hostess. The hostess may alsoselect how one image wipes or fades into the next. The hostess may alsoselect text or sound to be displayed with the image, such that amultimedia performance may be scripted for each physical dining plate.In general, selectable properties include properties commonly availableby slideshow software, such as Microsoft PowerPoint®.

In the preceding example, the icon that is dragged and dropped from thefolder 4415 represented an image. However, in general, the icon mayrepresent an executable application, a video, a multimedia presentation,object linking and embedding (OLE), a communication link, a computerprogram, function, command, and the like that affects the operation ofthe active foodware system.

FIG. 45 is a cross section of an active foodware system where food 4501on a dining plate 4500 is detected by an optical sensor 4502. Anyconvenient optical sensor may be used. The particular optical sensor4502 in the embodiment of FIG. 45 is an infrared emitter-detectorsensor, where infrared (IR) light is emitted from the emitter 4503,passes through a translucent portion 4505 of the dining plate 4500,reflects off the surface of the food 4501 and is detected by the IRdetector 4504. Typically, the IR emitter 4503 is an LED or laser diode,and the IR detector 4504 is a photodiode, photo transistor, photoDarlington, photo cell, and the like. The driving and processingelectrical circuitry for such sensors is known to those skilled in theart and so it is omitted from FIG. 45 for clarity. If no food is presenta very limited amount the emitted IR light will reflect and so thesignal sensed by the IR detector 4504 will be small. In contrast, iffood is present over the emitter 4503 a large portion of the emitted IRlight will be reflected and so the signal sensed by the IR detector 4504will be relatively large. In general, the signal returned by the IRdetector 4504 is related to the amount of food present. Typically, morethan one IR emitter-detector sensor is used. A large array of IRemitter-detector sensors may be used to provide the desired resolutionfor determining the amount of food present on the dining plate 4500.

FIG. 46 is a plan view of an active foodware system comprising a diningplate 4600 where a light source 4607 emits light from a portion of thedining plate towards a light detector 4605 located at another portion ofthe dining plate 4600 where food 4610 may lie between the light source4607 and the light detector 4605. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG.46, the light source 4607 is a laser diode that rotates about an axis4608. The laser diode may also be converted into a sheet of light by alens or other means to eliminate the need to rotate the laser diode. Thelight from the laser diode 4607 passes through a translucent foodbarrier 4616 and is detected by a light detector 4605 unless it isblocked by the food 4610. Using the light detector, the existence,amount and position of food 4610 may be determined. In FIG. 46 thedining plate 4600 is partitioned into three sections containing the food4610 and the light detector 4605 in a first section, food 4611 and 4612and a light detector 4604 in a second section and food 4613 and a lightdetector 4606 in a third section. The light detector may be anyconvenient light detector, including but not limited to a charge coupleddevice (CCD) array, a linear CCD array, a camera, a CCD camera, alateral-effect photodiode, an array of photodiodes, an array ofphototransistors, an array of photocells, and the like. The driving andprocessing electrical circuitry for such emitters and detectors is knownto those skilled in the art and is omitted from FIG. 46 for clarity.

FIGS. 47A and 47B are cross sections of an active foodware systemcomprising a passive dining plate 4700 and an active underplate 4706.The passive dining plate 4700 comprises a dining surface 4701, one ormore light guides 4702 and a bottom surface 4703. The passive diningplate 4700 may also comprise optical wave guides. Typical light guidesinclude fiber optic wires, channels, tubes, and the like. The activeunderplate 4706 comprises one or more light sources 4711. In the figure,each light source 4711 is a light emitting diode (LED) with a lightemitting portion 4712. The LEDs may be laser diodes and/or may emitlight in any of a variety of desirable wavelengths. The light sources4711 may be any desirable light source, including LEDs, laser diodes,electroluminescent light sources, liquid crystal display light sources(LCDs), fluorescent lights, plasma lights, incandescent lights, and thelike. The active foodware system may comprise one or more light sources4711, and when a plurality of light sources 4711 are used, the lightsources 4711 may all be the same type of light source or may bedifferent types of light sources.

The light directed by the light guides 4702 may individually, ortogether, form an image enhancing the dining experience. Such an imagemay include, but is not limited to a face, a smiley face, such asprovided by FIGS. 4A-4D, a cartoon figure, a sun, a moon, a star, apattern, a design, or any other desirable image. The image may bealterable by selectively energizing the light sources, by affecting thelight after it has been energized, by affecting the light guide, or anyother reasonable technique. By dynamically altering the image, the imagemay be made to appear to move. For instance, an action figure may appearto walk, crawl, fly, and the like; a face may appear to smile, wink,talk, frown, and the like; a pattern may appear to morph over time or tothe beat of music, which music may also emanate from the active foodwaresystem.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 47A and 47B, the active underplate4706 also serves as a base for the passive dining plate 4700. In theembodiment the active underplate 4706 has a protuberance 4709 whichsupports the light sources 4711. The protuberance 4709 fits into acavity 4710 in the passive plate 4700 and positions the light sources4711 in functional relationship with the light guides 4702. Typically,the light sources 4711 are positioned in confronting relationship to thelight guides 4702. Light emitted from the light sources 4711 is guidedthrough the light guides 4702 and is allowed to disperse from the lightguides 4702 at desired sites or regions providing a desired lightingeffect to be viewed by a diner. There are various ways known to thoseskilled in the art to disperse light from a light guide, including butnot limited to introducing discontinuities in the guide, altering theindex of refraction, altering the translucency of the guide or itssurroundings, abrading or etching the surface, changing the dimension ofthe light guide such that the angle of incidence of light is able toexceed the critical angle for total internal reflection, applyingcoatings, terminating the light guide, and the like.

In FIG. 47B the active underplate 4706 is shown to comprise a powersource 4727, a control switch 4725, an optional processor 4726 and anoptional speaker 4728. The power source 4727 can comprise any convenientpower source, including but not limited to a battery, a power adapterconnector, an inductive transformer, such as shown in FIGS. 37A-37D, andthe like. The control switch 4725 may control any of a variety offunctions, including but not limited to turning the lights on/off,selecting one of a variety of lighting effects, such as flashing orstrobing, and may be used to select a mode of operation of the processor4726, and the like. The processor 4726 may be employed to control avariety of complex stimulations, including but not limited to outputtingmusic to the speaker 4728 and synchronizing lighting effects to theassociated musical beat. The processor 4726 may also receive data from,or transmit data to, either wired or wirelessly, other entities. Suchdata may comprise operational commands, desired stimulation, such as adesired lighting effect, desired music, and the like. The details of theelectrical circuitry and interconnects are known to those skilled in theart and are omitted from the figure for clarity.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 47A and 47B the active underplate4706 is shown to comprise support structures 4708. The active underplate4706 is also shown to comprise underplate fasteners 4705 which fastenthe active underplate 4706 to the passive dining plate 4700 dining platefasteners 4704. The underplate fasteners 4705 may be any convenientfastener, including but not limited to one or more simple protuberancesthat fit into the dining plate fasteners 4704 and hold the activeunderplate 4706 to the passive dining plate 4700 by friction. There area multitude of other fastening techniques known to those skilled in theart that may be used, including hooks, clips, snaps, slide locks,tongue-in-groove locks, Velcro®, screws, and the like.

FIG. 47C is a cross section of an active foodware system comprising apassive dining plate 4707 and an active underplate 4718. The passivedining plate 4707 comprises a dining surface 4713, one or more lightguides 4714 and a bottom surface 4715. The passive dining plate 4707 mayalso comprise optical wave guides. Typical light guides include fiberoptic wires, channels, tubes, and the like. The active underplate 4718comprises one or more light sources. In the figure, one light source4720 is shown and which is an incandescent light. The light source 4720may alternatively be an LED. The LED may be a laser diode and/or mayemit light in any of a variety of desirable wavelengths. In general, thelight source 4720 may be any desirable light source, including an LED,laser diode, electroluminescent light source, LCD, fluorescent light,plasma light, incandescent light, and the like. The active foodwaresystem may comprise one or more light sources, and when a plurality oflight sources are used, the light sources may all be the same type oflight source or may be different types of light sources.

The light directed by the light guides 4714 may individually, ortogether, form an image which may enhance the dining experience. Such animage may include, but is not limited to a face, a smiley face, such asprovided by FIGS. 4A-4D, a cartoon figure, a sun, a moon, a star, apattern, a design, or any other desirable image. The image may bealterable by selectively energizing the light sources, by affecting thelight after it has been energized, by affecting the light guide, or anyother reasonable technique. By dynamically altering the image, the imagemay be made to appear to move. For instance, an action figure may appearto walk, crawl, fly, and the like; a face may appear to smile, wink,talk, frown, and the like; a pattern may appear to morph over time or tothe beat of music, which music may also emanate from the active foodwaresystem.

Light emitted from the light source 4720 is altered by having it passthrough a light modifier. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 47C, lightmodification is achieved with a moving translucent film 4724. Movementof the translucent film 4724 may be predetermined or may be alterablycontrolled. The translucent film 4724 is moved by an actuator 4721, suchas a rotary electrical motor. There are a variety of other suitableactuators which may alternatively be employed which are known to thoseskilled in the art for moving a low-mass translucent film 4724. As lightemitted from the light source 4720 passes through the translucent film4724 it takes on the color and pattern imparted by the translucent film4724 before it enters the light guides 4714. Accordingly, depending onthe pattern on the translucent film 4724, as the motor moves thetranslucent film 4724, the light passing into and through the lightguides, and ultimately dispersed for a diner to see, is varied.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 47C, the active underplate 4718 alsoserves as a base for the passive dining plate 4707. The light source4720 is positioned in functional relationship to the light guides 4714,and typically the light source 4720 is positioned in confrontingrelationship to the light guides 4714. Light emitted from the lightsource 4720 is guided through the light guides 4714 and is allowed todisperse from the light guides 4714 at desired sites or regionsproviding a desired lighting effect to be viewed by a diner. There arevarious ways known to those skilled in the art to disperse light from alight guide, including but not limited to introducing discontinuities inthe guide, altering the index of refraction, altering the translucencyof the guide or its surroundings, abrading or etching the surface,changing the dimension of the light guide such that the angle ofincidence of light is able to exceed the critical angle for totalinternal reflection, applying coatings, terminating the light guide, andthe like.

In FIG. 47C the active underplate 4718 is shown to comprise a powersource 4730, a control switch 4729, an optional processor 4731 and anoptional speaker 4732. The power source 4730 can comprise any convenientpower source, including but not limited to a battery, a power adapterconnector, an inductive transformer, such as shown in FIGS. 37A-37D, andthe like. The control switch 4729 may control any of a variety offunctions, including but not limited to turning the lights on/off,selecting one of a variety of lighting effects, such as flashing orstrobing, may control the rate, direction and position of shaft of themotor, and may be used to select a mode of operation of the processor4731, and the like. The processor 4731 may be employed to control avariety of complex stimulations, including but not limited to outputtingmusic to the speaker 4732 and synchronizing lighting effects to theassociated musical beat. The processor 4731 may also receive data from,or transmit data to, either wired or wirelessly, other entities. Suchdata may comprise operational commands, desired stimulation, such as adesired lighting effect, desired music and the like. The details of theelectrical circuitry and interconnects are known to those skilled in theart and are omitted from the figure for clarity.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 47C the active underplate 4718 isshown to comprise support structures 4719. The active underplate 4718 isalso shown to comprise underplate fasteners 4717 which fasten the activeunderplate 4718 to the passive dining plate 4707 dining plate fasteners4716. The underplate fasteners 4717 may be any convenient fastener,including but not limited to one or more simple protuberances that fitinto the dining plate fasteners 4716 and hold the active underplate 4706to the passive dining plate 4700 by friction. There are a multitude ofother fastening techniques known to those skilled in the art that may beused, including hooks, clips, snaps, slide locks, tongue-in-groovelocks, Velcro®, screws, and the like.

FIGS. 48A-48I are cross section views of typical dining plates formswhich may be used in an active foodware system. Other dining plate formsmay be alternately used in an active foodware system. FIG. 48A is across section view of a form of a dining plate 4800 comprising a diningsurface 4801 and upwardly curved surrounding surface 4802. Typically,the surrounding surface is intended to direct food from the outerportion of the plate back toward the more central portion of the platewhere the dining surface is, to reduce spillage, and to provide aconvenient surface for grasping the plate.

FIG. 48B is a cross section view of a form of a dining plate 4804comprising a dining surface 4803 and downwardly curved surroundingsurface 4805.

FIG. 48C is a cross section view of a form of a dining plate 4806comprising a dining surface 4807 and relatively flat (in cross section)sloping surrounding surface 4808.

FIG. 48D is a cross section view of a form of a dining plate 4809comprising a dining surface 4810, a first flat (in cross section)sloping surrounding surface 4811 and a second flat (in cross section)surrounding surface 4812 sloping less than the first sloping surroundingsurface 4811.

FIG. 48E is a cross section view of a form of a dining plate 4813comprising a dining surface 4814, a first upwardly curved surroundingsurface 4815, a second flat (in cross section) sloping surroundingsurface 4816 and supports 4817.

FIG. 48F is a cross section view of a form of a dining plate 4818comprising a dining surface 4819, a first vertical surrounding surface4820 and a second flat (in cross section) sloping surrounding surface4821.

FIG. 48G is a cross section view of a form of a dining plate 4822comprising a dining surface 4823, a first vertical surrounding surface4824 and a second horizontal surrounding surface 4825.

FIG. 48H is a cross section view of a form of a dining plate 4826comprising a dining surface 4827, a first upwardly curving surroundingsurface 4828, a second horizontal surrounding surface 4829 and adownwardly curved outer edge 4830.

FIG. 48I is a cross section view of a form of a dining plate 4831comprising a dining surface 4832 and vertical surrounding surface 4833.

It is evident from the above description that a new way of usingfoodware in an active foodware system, particularly dinnerware, isprovided. Instead of static dinnerware that while being attractive ispassive, the subject dinnerware is active providing for numerous stimulifor a variety of purposes. The active foodware system dinnerware can beused to encourage young users or diners to eat their food, learn whileeating, be responsive to requests and commands, be entertained, bemonitored, listen to music, watch TV, communicate by means of thedinnerware, and the like. Adults may use the dinnerware to communicatewith others, watch events, review activities, read email, search theinternet, and the like. The subject active foodware system provides anentirely new paradigm in the use of common foodware and makes the activefoodware system highly versatile in its applications.

All publications and patent applications cited in this specification areherein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication orpatent application were specifically and individually indicated to beincorporated by reference.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity ofunderstanding, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changesand modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spiritor scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An active foodware system comprising: amechanical structure being wider than tall and including a wirelesssending component for sending; a food surface supported by saidmechanical structure, said food surface having a peripheral regionsurrounding said food surface, said food surface being recessed inrelation to said peripheral region for receiving solid food andpreventing spillage from said food surface; a heating component forheating said food; a sensing component for controlling said heatingcomponent for maintaining a desired temperature; a wirelesscommunication component for communicating data related to said desiredtemperature, data from said sensing component, digital data related tosaid food, or electrical power; and a visual stimulating component forproviding visual stimulation in response to said data from said sensingcomponent or data from said wireless communication component.
 2. Anactive foodware system comprising: a mechanical structure being widerthan tall; a food surface supported by said mechanical structure, saidfood surface having a peripheral region surrounding said food surface,said food surface being recessed in relation to said peripheral regionfor receiving solid food and preventing spillage from said food surface;a heating component for heating said food; a sensing component forcontrolling said heating component for maintaining a desiredtemperature; a wireless communication component for communicating datarelated to said desired temperature, data from said sensing component,digital data related to said food, or electrical power; a visualstimulating component for providing visual stimulation in response tosaid data from said sensing component or data from said wirelesscommunication component; and a data processing component with computerprogram for receiving external data from computer memory external tosaid active foodware system, said external data from a website or servercomputer external to said active foodware system, and said dataprocessing component with computer program for processing said externaldata with said data from said sensing component for providing processeddata.
 3. The active foodware system according to claim 1 furthercomprising a data processing component for wirelessly receiving andprocessing data from said sensing component, and a tablet computer or amobile phone having a graphical display, said data processing componentfor communicating with said tablet computer or mobile phone.
 4. Theactive foodware system according to claim 1, wherein said visualstimulating component comprises a graphical display, wherein (a) saidgraphical display is employed by a tablet computer or a mobile phone, or(b) said active foodware system further comprises an articulation forchanging an angle of said graphical display.
 5. The active foodwaresystem according to claim 1, wherein said wireless communicationcomponent is for communicating (a) with a sensing component for sensingsaid food or information about a user or an active foodware member of aplace setting, or (b) with a website server computer.
 6. The activefoodware system according to claim 1, wherein said mechanical structurecomprises said heating component and said wireless communicationcomponent, said wireless communication component for sending.
 7. Theactive foodware system according to claim 6, said wirelesscommunications component for sending a signal to said visual stimulatingcomponent.
 8. The active foodware system according to claim 1, whereinsaid sensing component is configured for providing a signal related to:(a) a condition of said food received by said food surface selected fromat least one of weight, position, proximity, pressure, center of mass,moisture, light, color, reflectivity, opacity, movement, andacceleration; or (b) a condition of a user.
 9. The active foodwaresystem according to claim 8, said sensing component including aninfrared sensor for providing said signal related to said light, saidmoisture, said color, said reflectivity, or said opacity.
 10. An activefoodware system comprising: a mechanical structure being wider thantall; a food surface supported by said mechanical structure, said foodsurface having a peripheral region surrounding said food surface, saidfood surface being recessed in relation to said peripheral region forreceiving solid food and preventing spillage from said food surface; aheating component for heating said food; a sensing component forcontrolling said heating component for maintaining a desiredtemperature; a wireless communication component for communicating datarelated to said desired temperature, data from said sensing component,digital data related to said food, or electrical power; and a visualstimulating component for providing visual stimulation in response tosaid data from said sensing component or data from said wirelesscommunication component; wherein said mechanical structure includes aninductive coil for providing inductive electrical power.
 11. The activefoodware system according to claim 10 further comprising a food plateincluding said food surface, said food plate for receiving saidinductive electrical power.
 12. The active foodware system according toclaim 1, wherein said wireless sending component is for sending to anexternal processor employed by a tablet computer or mobile phone havinga graphical display, or by a server computer.
 13. The active foodwaresystem according to claim 12 further comprising a food plate includingsaid food surface, said food plate further including aplate-communications module for wirelessly communicating informationwith said wireless communication component, wherein said mechanicalstructure includes said wireless communication component, and saidwireless communication component includes said wireless sendingcomponent.
 14. The active foodware system according to claim 1 furthercomprising a wireless controller for controlling said active foodwaresystem, and a tablet computer or a mobile phone having a graphicaldisplay, said wireless controller for communicating with said tabletcomputer or mobile phone.
 15. The active foodware system according toclaim 14 further comprising a camera for sensing said food or a user.16. The active foodware system according to claim 14 further comprisinga sound-generating component configured for synchronizing soundgenerated by said sound-generating component with light emitted by saidvisual stimulating component, said visual stimulating componentincluding said graphical display.
 17. The active foodware systemaccording to claim 16, said graphical display for providing graphicalvideo.
 18. The active foodware system according to claim 16 programmedto provide stimulation to a user related to said sensing for providingrewards, entertainment, or directions for food selection.
 19. A methodemploying the active foodware system according to claim 1, said methodcomprising the steps of: placing said food on said food surface; saidheating component heating said food; said sensing component controllingsaid heating component for maintaining said desired temperature; saidwireless sending component sending; said wireless communicationcomponent communicating said data related to said desired temperature,said data from said sensing component, said digital data related to saidfood, or said electrical power; and said visual stimulating componentproviding said visual stimulation in response to said data from saidsensing component or said data from said wireless communicationcomponent.
 20. The method according to claim 19 further employing amobile computing device providing auditory or vibrotactile feedback,said mobile computing device including a tablet computer or a mobilephone having a graphical display.
 21. The method according to claim 19,said sensing component configured for providing a signal related to: (a)a condition of said food received by said food surface selected from atleast one of weight, position, proximity, pressure, center of mass,moisture, light, color, reflectivity, opacity, movement, andacceleration; or (b) a condition of a user.
 22. The method according toclaim 19 further employing a data processing component, and furtheremploying computer memory external to said active foodware system, saidmethod further comprising the steps of: transferring data from saidcomputer memory to said data processing component; said data processingcomponent processing said data from said computer memory with said datafrom said sensing component to provide processed data; and displaying,playing, or operating said processed data.
 23. The method according toclaim 22 further employing a mobile computing device providing saidprocessing, said displaying, said playing, said operating, auditoryfeedback, or vibrotactile feedback.
 24. The method according to claim 23further employing a camera sensing said food or a user.